The Situation in Venezuela
Floor Speech
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Ms. MOORE. Madam Speaker, I oppose U.S. military intervention in Venezuela. I am a cosponsor of legislation that would make that crystal clear to this Administration. At the same time, I strongly and unequivocally condemn reported acts of violence that have been carried out by security forces against Venezuelans peacefully exercising their fundamental civil rights, including to protest.
We must find other ways to continue to express our nation's legitimate concerns, as well as that of the rest of the international community, about the attacks on human rights and democracy underway in that nation. I am aware of the demonstrations that Venezuelans, opposed to Nicolas Madura and his cronies, have held amid a deep and ongoing political and economic crisis.
While continuing to condemn violence against protestors and attacks on basic democratic rights and institutions, the U.S. must also press for multilateral diplomatic actions to help create the conditions for a peaceful return to democratic order in Venezuela. Additionally, any sanctions (either bilaterally or multilaterally) imposed against Venezuela must be targeted at government officials and coordinated to avoid worsening the country's dire humanitarian emergency. And let's be clear, sanctions are not an end to themselves and do not substitute for smart and disciplined diplomacy.
The U.S. should support international efforts to achieve a negotiated resolution. Rather than trying to repeat all the mistakes of our failed foreign policy of the past in this region, I urge this Administration to engage with other partners in order to best facilitate a return to democracy.
Lastly, I share concerns about the individual, Elliott Abrams, appointed by this Administration to serve as a ``special envoy'' to Venezuela. His history, particularly with regards to his views on U.S. policy in this region, disqualify him to serve as an impartial implementer of a strong diplomatic effort to reach a peaceful resolution. Among other concerns, this individual was twice convicted of lying to Congress and has long held troubling views on how the U.S. should engage with governments in the region with which it disagrees.
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