we are certainly open to having meetings with North Korea, as long as the subject matter is one thing, and that is the denuclearization of the Peninsula, period.

Argentina has become an increasingly important country in South America.

We know that China is bribing and unfairly investing--and I say 'unfairly,' because their investings are one--their investments are one-way streets throughout the hemisphere.

Nicaragua is in the middle of a violent political crisis that I fear could even become a civil war.

It will be free, it will be democratic, and it will elect a new President.

Venezuela is the greatest challenge in our hemisphere today and while I have supported the administration's efforts, including the use of targeted sanctions against Venezuelan officials, our policy has been largely reactive.

Clearly, we desperately need a comprehensive strategy on Venezuela.

Russia is in our hemisphere, and it is largely looking for opportunities to create intelligence agreements and basing agreements.

It is an honor to be back before you and particularly to introduce my friend, Judge Ed Prado.

The Ortega regime has already murdered hundreds of Nicaraguan citizens through the use of irregular paramilitary groups.

We do not traditionally think of Costa Rica as a place that faces any sort of threat from transnational crime and violence, but they are deeply concerned about the trends there.

Yes, if confirmed, I commit to working with Congress to advance a comprehensive U.S. strategy to address the humanitarian, political, and economic crisis in Venezuela.