I do think that, at some point, the administration--in fact, I know--is going to look very closely at using the Global Magnitsky Act and other options to go after individuals who have been violating human rights and are guilty of corruption.

It is my belief that, if confirmed, you will be the Ambassador to Colombia at a time in which cocaine is going to begin to compete with heroin and opiates as a headline issue in the United States.

It is indisputable--right--that the distribution of cocaine is assisted actively by elements in the Venezuelan Government.

The border between Colombia and Venezuela is ripe for mischief and for illegality.

There are solutions and steps that can be taken and that we have called for, that the United States Government has called for that are simple steps of return to democracy, return to a respect for human rights, allow free and fair and transparent elections to go forward with international observers, open a humanitarian corridor for food and medicine.

Venezuela poses a very significant national security threat to our strongest ally in South America in Colombia.

We cannot allow people to continue to suffer and die.

I do think the administration's approach to Venezuela has, quite frankly, been textbook.

Ultimately, the decisionmaking authority on this issue rests with the Department of Homeland Security.

This is a manmade crisis. This is not a natural disaster.

It is incumbent upon the Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago... to get--to be into Venezuela to discuss the various problems that exist.

Our goal in Cuba, ultimately, is the restoration of a democracy.

As everyone knows, the Ranking Member has a deep interest in the western hemisphere, and many years of experience in defending democracy.

Cuba has not had democracy for a very long time. Venezuela has seen its democracy blatantly stolen.

There is a real challenge to democracy. We see the world increasingly being divided into a battle between autocracy and democracy.

As President Trump stated on Armenian Remembrance Day this year, such atrocities must not be repeated.

President Kiir and opposition leader Riek Machar "can oversee a peaceful and timely transition to democracy and good governance," and declared that they "have not demonstrated the leadership required to bring genuine peace and accountable governance."

Military power alone will not bring peace to Afghanistan or stop the terrorist threat arising in that country.