U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs

09/04/2021 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/04/2021 14:37

McCaul on Venezuela Negotiations: Biden Administration Must Not Embolden Maduro Regime

Media Contact 202-225-5021

Washington, D.C. - House Foreign Affairs Committee Lead Republican Michael McCaul has released the following statement ahead of Friday's first round of negotiations between Maduro and Guaidó representatives in Venezuela.

'As representatives of Interim President Juan Guaido and the Maduro regime launch a new round of negotiations with the Biden Administration's support, the same dynamics that led to failure before are unfolding again. The regime continues its transnational criminal operations, has eight American hostages unlawfully imprisoned, alliances with Cuba, Russia, China and Iran, and continues cracking down on the opposition. Yet there is no concerted international pressure campaign to hold the regime accountable. Maduro must not be allowed to manipulate the Biden Administration into a prolonged process that emboldens the criminal dictatorship. Negotiations must be time-bound and the administration must be ready with additional sanctions and penalties when or if talks again fail.'