I’d like to share with my readers the reply letter sent to me by Senator Feinstein (CA), as response to my petition to please stand up for human rights in Venezuela.
August 2, 2017
Dear Lisbeth:
Thank you for contacting me to express your concerns about democratic conditions in Venezuela. I appreciate the time you took to write, and I welcome the opportunity to respond.
As you know, in March 2017, the Venezuela Supreme Court of Justice triggered a political crisis when it moved to dissolve Venezuela’s National Assembly and assume its functions. The Supreme Court later reversed this decision in the face of widespread protests and international outcry.
Due to reports of increased violence, instability, and human suffering in Venezuela, I supported Senate Resolution 35, which the Senate passed by Unanimous Consent on February 28, 2017. This resolution supports the right of the Venezuelan people to freely and peacefully exercise their civil rights, calls on the Venezuelan Government to release all political prisoners, and urges President Trump to fully support the Organization of American States’ efforts to find a diplomatic, democratic solution to Venezuela’s political crisis.
You may be pleased to know that on May 18, 2017, the U.S. Treasury Department announced sanctions on eight members of Venezuela’s Supreme Court as a result of its previous efforts to usurp the National Assembly’s legislative authority. The justices’ U.S.-based assets have been frozen, they are prohibited from entering the United States and U.S. citizens are barred from doing business with them.
Please know that I am monitoring the situation, and I will keep your views in mind should the Senate discuss additional legislation related to Venezuela.
Once again, thank you for writing. Should you have any other questions or comments, please call my Washington office at (202) 224-3841 or visit my website at feinstein.senate.gov. You can also follow me online at YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter, and you can sign up for my email newsletter at feinstein.senate.gov/newsletter.
Best regards.
