.....Venezuela. Venezuela exemplifies the devastating effects and consequences of authoritarian rule. The authoritarian Nicolas Maduro and his regime are engaged in narcoterrorism, corruption, drug trafficking, money laundering, human rights abuses, and other nefarious activities, which have contributed to the destabilization of Venezuela. 55 Ruthless 13 repression and widespread inability to access life-sustaining necessities have resulted in an exodus of more than 7.7 million Venezuelan citizens. 56 TCOs and gangs have taken advantage of this crisis to expand their operations, while Maduro’s representatives increasingly embraces drug trafficking and other illicit activity for personal enrichment while the Venezuelan people suffer. Under Maduro, Venezuela has become a major cocaine and arms trafficking hub, “transform[ing] the country into a destabilizing force in the Western Hemisphere.” 57 Maduro’s fraudulent election in July 2024 and the subsequent detentions, disappearances, and reprisals against the Venezuelan population have been met with international condemnation. 58 Anti-democratic practices and authoritarian ideology unite this illegitimate regime with our Strategic Competitors and like-minded states across the globe. The backing of malign state actors may embolden Maduro to escalate propaganda and saber rattling related to his claim to Guyana’s Essequibo region. The United States, alongside our Allies and Partners in the region, remain vigilant. We maintain a united front in the face of these acts of unwarranted aggression and reject the oppressive and illegal tactics of the Maduro regime......(pages 12 and 13)....
No comments:
Post a Comment