Press Releases

U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23) issued the following statement regarding the current situation in Venezuela and the latest sanctions announcement from the Trump Administration:

“Venezuela is clearly governed by a brutal dictator who has plunged that nation into political and economic chaos that has resulted in legitimate fear for the safety of Venezuelans who have fled their native country. Therefore, I strongly support granting Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to all eligible Venezuelans who seek safe haven from a regime that has employed official violence and political oppression, and left that nation devastated by food and medical shortages. President Trump must grant this essential status for the safety of Venezuelans who came to the U.S. out of fear for theirs and their families' safety.

While these new sanctions announced today are a step in the right direction, the executive order announced by the Trump Administration falls short of truly holding the Maduro regime accountable for these corrupt, anti-democratic practices. These latest sanctions seek to ban Venezuelan officials from raising funds from new debt offerings, and ban any transactions in older, government held bonds. However, this action largely exempts Goldman Sachs, one of the largest U.S. bondholders. This is especially troubling given the ties to Goldman by key members of the Trump Administration. Obviously, stronger economic penalties are needed and we must continue to tighten the vice on the Maduro regime, so I will continue to push for sanctions and policies that hold this dictatorship accountable, curb any illicit narcotics flowing to the United States, and address the escalating humanitarian crisis there.”

####