I have expressed the importance of standing up with the people of Venezuela and unequivocally against usurpations of power and undemocratic actions.

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.

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.

Venezuela is the most corrupt country in the continent.

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…

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.

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.

A lot of people talk to me about the opposition, and while, indeed, they are in opposition to Maduro's regime, they are in fact the majority party in the National Assembly.

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.