Elliott Abrams

The only reason we are here considering this bill today is because the administration took it upon itself to threaten a war it does not have an authorization to start.

The President may not take unilateral military action and must consult with and receive authorization from Congress.

I am not aware of foreign support for the colectivos. It is clear that they work for the regime.

This horrendous humanitarian situation in Venezuela that we have all been talking about existed 2 weeks ago, before there were sanctions on PDVSA.

From the day that President Duarte was elected in a free election to this day, El Salvador has been a democracy. That is a fabulous achievement.

Maduro cannot weather much longer.

That is, after the Maduro regime, a short transition to an election, and that is the view of all of the 51 nations that are supporting Mr. Guaido.

All these funds, all Venezuelan government funds are, in our view, rightly available to the legitimate Interim President, Mr. Guaido, and the National Assembly.

We think that this opinion is spreading within the military that the current situation is untenable.

I do not think the sanctions alone are going to have that impact.

Under the Maduro regime, the situation inside Venezuela will only get worse.