We support sanctions to individuals that have committed crimes and are accused of corruption, and we need more economic pressure on a government that is investing the money it earns through the natural resources that belong to the people…

Democracy is severely endangered. Human rights is violated on a regular basis.

Torture is a crime against humanity. We intend to support investigations, and we ask everybody to do so that may help to identify the practices of torture in Venezuela and those responsible for them, especially in front of the…

The question of humanitarian aid and assistance, which the Maduro regime continues to block because they continue to refuse to acknowledge they have a humanitarian crisis.

Venezuela is the most corrupt country in the continent.

I am going to ask that three reports that you presented to the Permanent Council, Secretary General, of the OAS on the situation in Venezuela be entered into the record as part of the statement.

In fact, I have not seen any weight loss among virtually anyone at senior levels of the government.

All our actions should be oriented to resolve this agenda. The agenda is free, transparent, just general elections; the freeing of political prisoners; restoration of the powers of the National Assembly; and an emergency plan to resolve…

There are also very strong allegations made by defectors and others about the involvement of an individual by the name of Diosdado Cabello who I, in my personal view based on everything I have seen--he is not simply a political leader. He…

He should not be detained at all. But it is a very typical Cuban Government move where they release someone into house arrest, but they are still not free and able to operate.

I do not think that we can afford to continue too little too late on behalf of the people of Venezuela or for that fact in our own national security interest.

What the regime has done is they have taken oil, which belongs to the people of Venezuela.

I would remind those watching here in the United States that we should not forget the case of an American citizen from Utah named Joshua Holt.

They are taking extraordinary measures to repay creditors and unusual steps to raise cash.

This logic to sustain yourself through the repression is Cuban logic.

There is no U.S. embargo against Venezuela or any embargo from anyone. The only embargo on the people of Venezuela is self-imposed by the Maduro regime.

By estimates, Venezuela has international reserves of approximately $10 billion according to this report, but its financing needs for 2017 are $17 billion.

I have long been a supporter, as has the ranking member, for U.S. engagement in the world and in the region.