Wasserman Schultz Statement on Obama Administration's New Venezuela Sanctions

Washington, DC, March 9, 2015
As an original cosponsor of bipartisan legislation last year to take punitive action against Venezuelan leaders and the U.S. representative for our hometown of Weston, affectionately known as 'Westonzuela', I am pleased that this Executive Order will build upon legislation passed by Congress last year. These officials will not be welcome in the United States and we will block their assets and ability to access the U.S. financial system.
Weston, Fla. – U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23) released the following statement today after the Obama Administration issued further sanctions on the Venezuelan regime:
“I commend President Obama for issuing an Executive Order today to ensure that the United States continues to hold responsible those Venezuelan officials who intimidate and persecute their own citizens.
“As an original cosponsor of bipartisan legislation last year to take punitive action against Venezuelan leaders and the U.S. representative for our hometown of Weston, affectionately known as 'Westonzuela’, I am pleased that this Executive Order will build upon legislation passed by Congress last year. These officials will not be welcome in the United States and we will block their assets and ability to access the U.S. financial system.
“Leaders of the Maduro regime continue to silence peaceful protestors, quash any voices of opposition and imprison political opponents. I join the Administration and my colleagues in calling on the Venezuelan government to release all prisoners being held for simply exercising their rights including Leopoldo Lopez, Daniel Ceballos, Antonio Ledezma and all other students and activists.
“These brave activists are being denied their fundamental democratic freedoms which are enshrined in the OAS Charter and Inter-American Democratic Charter. I join others in calling upon the Venezuelan government to engage in real, meaningful dialogue and to restore the fundamental human rights of her citizens, including the right to peacefully assemble and the right to free speech.”
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