DOCSLIB.ORG

Venezuela: Background and U.S. Policy

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Venezuela: Background and U.S. Policy Venezuela: Background and U.S. Policy (name redacted) Specialist in Latin American Affairs May 10, 2017 Congressional Research Service 7-.... www.crs.gov R44841 Venezuela: Background and U.S. Policy Summary Venezuela is in the midst of an acute political, economic, and social crisis. Following the March 2013 death of populist President Hugo Chávez, acting President Nicolás Maduro of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) narrowly defeated Henrique Capriles of the opposition Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD) to be elected to a six-year term in April 2013. Four years later, President Maduro has less than 20% public approval and fissures have emerged within the PSUV about the means that he has used to maintain power, including a recent aborted attempt to have the Supreme Court dissolve the MUD-dominated legislature. Protests are escalating amid calls for the Maduro government to hold the regional elections that Maduro postponed last year rather than convene a constituent assembly to rewrite the constitution, as he has proposed. Venezuela also is grappling with crippling economic and social challenges. It faces an increasingly unstable economic crisis, triggered by mismanagement and the global drop in oil prices. In 2016, the economy contracted by some 18% and inflation averaged 254%. In addition, massive shortages of food and medicine have caused a humanitarian crisis. The Maduro government is struggling to make debt payments and seeking loans from Russia, but economists maintain that Venezuela is at risk of default in 2017. International efforts to facilitate dialogue between President Maduro and the opposition have failed, due to the government’s intransigence. In March 2017, Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS) Luis Almagro called on member states to temporarily suspend Venezuela from the organization if the government did not take certain actions, including convening general elections. On April 26, 2017, the OAS Permanent Council approved a resolution to convene a meeting of foreign ministers to discuss Venezuela. In response, the Maduro government initiated the two-year process required to leave the OAS. U.S. Policy U.S. policymakers have had concerns for more than a decade about the deterioration of human rights and democracy in Venezuela and the government’s lack of cooperation on antidrug and counterterrorism efforts. The Obama Administration strongly criticized the Maduro government’s heavy-handed response to protests in 2014 and employed sanctions against Venezuelan officials linked to drug trafficking, terrorism, and human rights abuses. At the same time, it supported efforts at dialogue and OAS activities. The Trump Administration has followed the same general policy approach. In February 2017, the Treasury Department imposed drug-trafficking sanctions against Vice President Tareck el Aissami. President Trump and the State Department have called for the release of imprisoned opposition leader Leopoldo López and all political prisoners. State Department officials have condemned the Venezuelan Supreme Court’s recent rulings, expressed grave concern about a recent ban preventing Capriles from running for office, and called for prompt elections. Congressional Action Congress has taken various actions in response to the situation in Venezuela. It enacted legislation in 2014 to impose sanctions on current and former Venezuelan officials responsible for human rights abuses (P.L. 113-278). In July 2016, Congress enacted legislation (P.L. 114-194) extending the ability to impose sanctions through 2019. In the 115th Congress, the Senate approved S.Res. 35, expressing support for OAS efforts to hasten a return to electoral democracy in the country. The FY2017 Consolidated Appropriations Act (H.R. 244/P.L. 115-31), enacted on May 4, 2017, recommends providing $7 million in democracy and human rights assistance to Venezuela. Congress soon will have the opportunity to Congressional Research Service Venezuela: Background and U.S. Policy reexamine such aid to Venezuela as it considers the FY2018 request. On May 3, 2017, a bipartisan Senate bill was introduced, S. 1018, that would, among other measures, authorize humanitarian assistance for Venezuela and codify existing targeted sanctions on individuals undermining democratic governance and involved in corruption in Venezuela. H.Res. 259, introduced April 6, 2017, expresses concern about the crises that Venezuela is facing and urges the Venezuelan government to hold elections, release political prisoners, and accept humanitarian aid. This report provides an overview of the political and economic challenges Venezuela is facing and efforts to respond to those challenges taken through the OAS. The report also analyzes U.S. policy concerns regarding democracy and human rights, drug trafficking, terrorism, and energy issues in Venezuela. See also CRS In Focus IF10230, Venezuela: Political Crisis and U.S. Policy Overview, and CRS Report R43239, Venezuela: Issues for Congress, 2013-2016. Congressional Research Service Venezuela: Background and U.S. Policy Contents Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 1 Political Situation ............................................................................................................................ 2 Legacy of Hugo Chávez (1999-2013) ....................................................................................... 2 Maduro Administration ............................................................................................................. 5 Canceled Recall Referendum .............................................................................................. 5 Failed Dialogue in 2016 ...................................................................................................... 6 Repression of Dissent amid Growing Protests .................................................................... 6 Foreign Policy ..................................................................................................................... 8 Economic and Social Conditions ............................................................................................ 10 Economic Crisis ................................................................................................................ 10 Humanitarian Concerns .................................................................................................... 12 Crime and Violence ........................................................................................................... 13 Migration ................................................................................................................................. 14 U.S. Support for OAS Efforts on Venezuela ................................................................................. 14 U.S. Policy ..................................................................................................................................... 17 Targeted Sanctions Related to Antidemocratic Actions, Human Rights Violations, and Corruption ............................................................................................................................ 18 U.S. Funding to Support Democracy and Human Rights ....................................................... 19 Counternarcotics and Money-Laundering Issues .................................................................... 20 Terrorism ................................................................................................................................. 23 Energy Sector Concerns .......................................................................................................... 25 Congressional Action in 2017 ................................................................................................. 26 Legislative Action ............................................................................................................. 26 Oversight ........................................................................................................................... 27 Outlook .......................................................................................................................................... 28 Figures Figure 1. Political Map of Venezuela .............................................................................................. 2 Figure 2. Venezuela: Economic Contraction and Hyperinflation ................................................... 11 Tables Table A-1. Online Human Rights Reporting on Venezuela ........................................................... 29 Appendixes Appendix. ...................................................................................................................................... 29 Congressional Research Service Venezuela: Background and U.S. Policy Contacts Author Contact Information .......................................................................................................... 29 Congressional Research Service Venezuela: Background and U.S. Policy Introduction Venezuela, an upper-middle-income country in South America with the world’s largest proven oil reserves, is experiencing what many analysts have described as one of the worst economic and political crises in its history.1 Whereas populist and generally popular President Hugo Chávez (1998-2013) governed during a period of generally high oil prices, his successor, Nicolás
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela: Nicolas Maduro’S Cabinet Chair: Peter Derrah
    Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela: Nicolas Maduro’s Cabinet Chair: Peter Derrah 1 Table of Contents 3. Letter from Chair 4. Members of Committee 5. Committee Background A.Solving the Economic Crisis B.Solving the Presidential Crisis 2 Dear LYMUN delegates, Hi, my name is Peter Derrah and I am a senior at Lyons Township High School. I have done MUN for all my four years of high school, and I was a vice chair at the previous LYMUN conference. LYMUN is a well run conference and I hope that you all will have a good experience here. In this committee you all will be representing high level political figures in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, as you deal with an incomprehensible level of inflation and general economic collapse, as well as internal political disputes with opposition candidates, the National Assembly, and massive protests and general civil unrest. This should be a very interesting committee, as these ongoing issues are very serious, urgent, and have shaped geopolitics recently. I know a lot of these issues are extremely complex and so I suggest that you do enough research to have at least a basic understanding of them and solutions which could solve them. For this reason I highly suggest you read the background. It is important to remember the ​ ​ individual background for your figure (though this may be difficult for lower level politicians) as well as the political ideology of the ruling coalition and the power dynamics of Venezuela’s current government. I hope that you all will put in good effort into preparation, write position papers, actively speak and participate in moderated and unmoderated caucus, and come up with creative and informed solutions to these pressing issues.
    [Show full text]
  • Venezuela Decision Adopted Unanimously by the IPU Governing Council at Its 204Th Session (Doha, 10 April 2019)
    Venezuela Decision adopted unanimously by the IPU Governing Council at its 204th session (Doha, 10 April 2019) Venezuela’s Speaker of the National Assembly Juan Guaidó speaks before a crowd of opposition supporters during an open meeting in Caraballeda, Venezuela, on 13 January 2019 © Yuri CORTEZ/AFP VEN-10 - Biagio Pilieri VEN-48 - Yanet Fermin (Ms.) VEN-11 - José Sánchez Montiel VEN-49 - Dinorah Figuera (Ms.) VEN-12 - Hernán Claret Alemán VEN-50 - Winston Flores VEN-13 - Richard Blanco VEN-51 - Omar González VEN-16 - Julio Borges VEN-52 - Stalin González VEN-19 - Nora Bracho (Ms.) VEN-53 - Juan Guaidó VEN-20 - Ismael Garcia VEN-54 - Tomás Guanipa VEN-22 - William Dávila VEN-55 - José Guerra VEN-24 - Nirma Guarulla (Ms.) VEN-56 - Freddy Guevara VEN-25 - Julio Ygarza VEN-57 - Rafael Guzmán VEN-26 - Romel Guzamana VEN-58 - María G. Hernández (Ms.) VEN-27 - Rosmit Mantilla VEN-59 - Piero Maroun VEN-28 - Enzo Prieto VEN-60 - Juan A. Mejía VEN-29 - Gilberto Sojo VEN-61 - Julio Montoya VEN-30 - Gilber Caro VEN-62 - José M. Olivares VEN-31 - Luis Florido VEN-63 - Carlos Paparoni VEN-32 - Eudoro González VEN-64 - Miguel Pizarro VEN-33 - Jorge Millán VEN-65 - Henry Ramos Allup VEN-34 - Armando Armas VEN-66 - Juan Requesens VEN-35 - Américo De Grazia VEN-67 - Luis E. Rondón VEN-36 - Luis Padilla VEN-68 - Bolivia Suárez (Ms.) VEN-37 - José Regnault VEN-69 - Carlos Valero VEN-38 - Dennis Fernández (Ms.) VEN-70 - Milagro Valero (Ms.) VEN-39 - Olivia Lozano (Ms.) VEN-71 - German Ferrer VEN-40 - Delsa Solórzano (Ms.) VEN-72 - Adriana d'Elia (Ms.) VEN-41
    [Show full text]
  • Redalyc.LOS TÉRMINOS DE LA CRISIS VENEZOLANA
    Boletín de Lingüística ISSN: 0798-9709 [email protected] Universidad Central de Venezuela Venezuela Lovón Cueva, Marco Antonio; Pita Garcia, Paula Sharon LOS TÉRMINOS DE LA CRISIS VENEZOLANA Boletín de Lingüística, vol. XXVIII, núm. 45-46, enero-diciembre, 2016, pp. 79-110 Universidad Central de Venezuela Caracas, Venezuela Disponible en: http://www.redalyc.org/articulo.oa?id=34754747004 Cómo citar el artículo Número completo Sistema de Información Científica Más información del artículo Red de Revistas Científicas de América Latina, el Caribe, España y Portugal Página de la revista en redalyc.org Proyecto académico sin fines de lucro, desarrollado bajo la iniciativa de acceso abierto BOLETÍN DE LINGÜÍSTICA, XXVIII/45-46 / Ene - Dic, 2016: 79-110 79 LOS TÉRMINOS DE LA CRISIS VENEZOLANA Marco Antonio Lovón Cueva Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas (UPC) [email protected] Paula Sharon Pita Garcia Universidad Ricardo Palma (URP) [email protected] RESUMEN En los últimos años, en Venezuela, el contexto político-económico, entre la continuidad del régimen y el descontento social, ha ocasionado que los venezolanos inventen y recreen una serie de palabras para expresarse sobre dicho acontecimiento. Este trabajo lexicográfico y lexicológico recoge y analiza dichas voces, tales como majunche, pupitrazo, boliburgués. Cada entrada lexicográfica presenta una definición, alguna precisión etimológica, una marca gramatical, una marca sociolingüística, un ejemplo de uso, y alguna nota lexicográfica. Los datos han sido recopilados de distintas fuentes, particularmente de sitios web, y validados por hablantes del país. La investigación concluye con la importancia de recoger las distintas expresiones lingüísticas de esta coyuntura como una forma de consignar una realidad que reclama ser comprendida y atendida.
    [Show full text]
  • Download Full UA In
    1st update on UA: 055/19 Index: AMR 53/0528/2019 Venezuela Date: 14 June 2019 URGENT ACTION DETAINEE INCOMMUNICADO Venezuelan opposition member of parliament Gilber Caro has been in incommunicado detention since 26 April 2019, putting his personal integrity at risk. Authorities denied having information on his fate and whereabouts since his detention by intelligence officers until 31 May. Gilber Caro was also arbitrarily detained from January 2017 until June 2018 under unfounded accusations of treason and stealing military equipment. His disappearance and incommunicado detention is arbitrary since it reverses the freedom he was granted in June. We call on the Director of the intelligence service (SEBIN) to swiftly allow access to Gilber Caro and to release him immediately. TAKE ACTION: WRITE AN APPEAL IN YOUR OWN WORDS OR USE THIS MODEL LETTER Mr. Gustavo González López Director of the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service (SEBIN) Servicio Bolivariano de Inteligencia Nacional Torre Corporativa Metro de Caracas Avenida Casanova, Plaza Venezuela Caracas 1050, Venezuela Dear Director, I am alarmed by the incommunicado detention of member of parliament Gilber Caro since 26 April, after Bolivarian National Intelligence Service (SEBIN) officers took him in a restaurant in Caracas. Since the detention and later acknowledgement of his whereabouts, Gilber Caro’s lawyers have been repeatedly denied access and communication with him. Incommunicado detention for prolonged period of time can amount to torture under human rights law. The SEBIN must allow access Gilber Caro’s lawyers access to him, guarantee his personal integrity and release him immediately. I express my dismay for such a concerning situation to happen in your country and, as the authority in charge of ensuring the integrity and rights of anyone under SEBIN custody, I call on you to immediately grant Gilber Caro access to his lawyers and family and proceed with his release.
    [Show full text]
  • An Analysis of Cuban Influence in Venezuela and Its Support for the Bolívarian Revolution James A
    View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by Digital Commons Cedarville University DigitalCommons@Cedarville International Studies Capstone Research Papers Senior Capstone Papers 4-24-2015 Venecuba: An Analysis of Cuban Influence in Venezuela and its Support for the Bolívarian Revolution James A. Cohrs Cedarville University, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.cedarville.edu/ international_studies_capstones Part of the International and Area Studies Commons Recommended Citation Cohrs, James A., "Venecuba: An Analysis of Cuban Influence in Venezuela and its Support for the Bolívarian Revolution" (2015). International Studies Capstone Research Papers. 1. http://digitalcommons.cedarville.edu/international_studies_capstones/1 This Capstone Project is brought to you for free and open access by DigitalCommons@Cedarville, a service of the Centennial Library. It has been accepted for inclusion in International Studies Capstone Research Papers by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@Cedarville. For more information, please contact [email protected]. VENECUBA AN ANALYSIS OF CUBAN INFLUENCE IN VENEZUELA AND ITS SUPPORT FOR THE BOLÍVARIAN REVOLUTION __________________ A Paper Presented to Dr. Jenista Cedarville University __________________ In Fulfillment of the Requirements for INTL 4850-01 __________________ By James Cohrs April 24th, 2015 Cohrs 1 Introduction "I swear before you, I swear by the God of my fathers; by my forefathers themselves, by my honor and my country, that I shall never allow my hands to be idle or my soul to rest until I have broken the shackles which bind us to Spain!" (Roberts, 1949, p. 5). Standing on a hill in Rome, this was the oath pledged by Simón Bolívar, “El Libertador”, as he began his quest to liberate the Spanish-American colonies from Spanish rule.
    [Show full text]
  • Misión Madres Del Barrio: a Bolivarian Social Program Recognizing Housework and Creating a Caring Economy in Venezuela
    View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by KU ScholarWorks MISIÓN MADRES DEL BARRIO: A BOLIVARIAN SOCIAL PROGRAM RECOGNIZING HOUSEWORK AND CREATING A CARING ECONOMY IN VENEZUELA BY Cory Fischer-Hoffman Submitted to the graduate degree program in Latin American Studies and the Graduate Faculty of the University of Kansas in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master’s of Arts. Committee members Elizabeth Anne Kuznesof, Phd. ____________________ Chairperson Tamara Falicov, Phd. ____________________ Mehrangiz Najafizadeh, Phd. ____________________ Date defended: May 8, 2008 The Thesis Committee for Cory Fischer-Hoffman certifies that this is the approved Version of the following thesis: MISIÓN MADRES DEL BARRIO: A BOLIVARIAN SOCIAL PROGRAM RECOGNIZING HOUSEWORK AND CREATING A CARING ECONOMY IN VENEZUELA Elizabeth Anne Kuznesof, Phd. ________________________________ Chairperson Date approved:_______________________ ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This thesis is a product of years of activism in the welfare rights, Latin American solidarity, and global justice movements. Thank you to all of those who I have worked and struggled with. I would especially like to acknowledge Monica Peabody, community organizer with Parents Organizing for Welfare and Economic Rights (formerly WROC) and all of the welfare mamas who demand that their caring work be truly valued. Gracias to my compas, Greg, Wiley, Simón, Kaya, Tessa and Caro who keep me grounded and connected to movements for justice, and struggle along side me. Thanks to my thesis committee for helping me navigate through the bureaucracy of academia while asking thoughtful questions and providing valuable guidance. I am especially grateful to the feedback and editing support that my dear friends offered just at the moment when I needed it.
    [Show full text]
  • Venezuela: Background and U.S
    Venezuela: Background and U.S. Relations (name redacted), Coordinator Specialist in Latin American Affairs (name redacted) Specialist in International Trade and Finance (name redacted) Specialist in Energy Policy (name redacted) Specialist in International Humanitarian Policy Updated June 27, 2018 Congressional Research Service 7-.... www.crs.gov R44841 Venezuela: Background and U.S. Relations Summary Venezuela remains in a deep political crisis under the authoritarian rule of President Nicolás Maduro of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV). On May 20, 2018, Maduro defeated Henri Falcón, a former governor, in a presidential election boycotted by the Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD) of opposition parties and dismissed by the United States, the European Union, and 18 Western Hemisphere countries as illegitimate. Maduro, who was narrowly elected in 2013 after the death of President Hugo Chávez (1999-2013), is unpopular. Nevertheless, he has used the courts, security forces, and electoral council to repress the opposition. Maduro’s reelection capped off his efforts since 2017 to consolidate power. From March to July 2017, protesters called for President Maduro to release political prisoners and respect the MUD- led National Assembly. Security forces quashed protests, with more than 130 killed and thousands injured. Maduro then orchestrated the controversial July 2017 election of a National Constituent Assembly to rewrite the constitution; the assembly then assumed legislative functions. The PSUV dominated gubernatorial and municipal elections held in 2017, although fraud likely occurred in those contests. Maduro has arrested dissident military officers and others, but he also has released some political prisoners, including U.S. citizen Joshua Holt, since the May election.
    [Show full text]
  • Venezuela: Overview of U.S. Sanctions
    Updated April 24, 2019 Venezuela: Overview of U.S. Sanctions For more than a decade, the United States has employed Silva (former defense minister and governor of Trujillo sanctions as a policy tool in response to activities of the State), and Ramón Rodríguez Chacín (former interior Venezuelan government and Venezuelan individuals. These minister and former governor of Guárico); in 2011, Freddy have included sanctions related to terrorism, drug Alirio Bernal Rosales and Amilicar Jesus Figueroa Salazar trafficking, trafficking in persons, antidemocratic actions, (United Socialist Party of Venezuela, or PSUV, politicians), human rights violations, and corruption. Overall, the Major General Cliver Antonio Alcalá Cordones, and Treasury Department has imposed financial sanctions on Ramon Isidro Madriz Moreno (a Venezuelan intelligence 111 individuals, and the State Department has revoked the officer); in 2017, then-Vice President Tareck el Aissami; visas of hundreds of individuals. On January 28, 2019, the and in May 2018, Pedro Luis Martin (a former senior Trump Administration announced sanctions on Venezuela’s intelligence official) and two of his associates. Others state-oil company, Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A., or designated include drug trafficker Walid Makled, three dual PdVSA. Several days before the imposition of the PdVSA Lebanese-Venezuelan citizens allegedly involved in a drug sanctions, the United States recognized Juan Guaidó, the money-laundering network, and several Colombian drug head of Venezuela’s National Assembly, as the country’s traffickers with activity in Venezuela. interim president and ceased to recognize Nicolás Maduro as the president of Venezuela. Targeted Sanctions Related to Antidemocratic Actions, Human Rights Violations, and Corruption Terrorism-Related Sanctions In response to increasing repression in Venezuela, Congress Since 2006, U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • Encuesta Nacional Ómnibus Julio-Agosto 2015 Fuente De Íconos: Thenounproject.Com Índice De Contenido
    Encuesta Nacional Julio-Agosto Ómnibus 2015 Encuesta Nacional Ómnibus: 999 hogares Error máximo admisible ±3,04% Fecha de campo: del 10 al 23 de julio de 2015 Empresa afiliada a: Fuente de íconos: thenounproject.com Índice de contenido 1. Metodología y contexto 2. Situación país 3. Evaluación de gestión 4. Elecciones parlamentarias 2015 Encuesta Nacional Ómnibus Julio-Agosto 2015 Fuente de íconos: thenounproject.com Índice de contenido 5. Situación económica del país 5.1 Abastecimiento. 5.2. Inflación . 6. Situación política del país 6.1 Política internacional . 6.2 Protestas en el país .6.3 Otros temas . Encuesta Nacional Ómnibus Julio-Agosto 2015 Fuente de íconos: thenounproject.com Índice de contenido 6. Situación política del país 6.4 Sobre unas primarias de Oposición . 6.5 Sobre Maduro y su futuro . 6.6 Autodefinición política e identificación partidista . Encuesta Nacional Ómnibus Julio-Agosto 2015 Fuente de íconos: thenounproject.com 1. Metodología y contexto Fuente de íconos: thenounproject.com Metodología de la investigación ¿Cómo se hizo? Ficha Técnica Personas naturales, de sexo masculino y Universo de estudio femenino, mayores de 18 años y de estratos socioeconómicos A/B, C, D y E Tamaño de la muestra 999 personas Error máximo admisible ±3,04% Nivel de confianza 95% Tipo de muestreo En hogares Polietapico Recolección de la (por género, edad, estrato socioeconómico y información región) Fecha de campo del 10 al 23 de julio de 2015 Encuesta Nacional Ómnibus Julio-Agosto 2015 2. Situación país Fuente de íconos: thenounproject.com
    [Show full text]
  • Venezuela: Background and U.S
    Venezuela: Background and U.S. Policy (name redacted) Specialist in Latin American Affairs June 14, 2017 Congressional Research Service 7-.... www.crs.gov R44841 Venezuela: Background and U.S. Policy Summary Venezuela is in an acute political, economic, and social crisis. Following the March 2013 death of populist President Hugo Chávez, acting President Nicolás Maduro of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) narrowly defeated Henrique Capriles of the opposition Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD) to be elected to a six-year term in April 2013. President Maduro now has less than 20% public approval, and fissures have emerged within the PSUV about the means that he has used to maintain power, including an aborted attempt to have the Supreme Court dissolve the MUD-dominated legislature. Since March 2017, large-scale protests have called for President Maduro to release political prisoners, respect the separation of powers, and establish an electoral calendar. Instead, Maduro has scheduled July 30, 2017, elections to select delegates to a constituent assembly to rewrite the constitution (the opposition is boycotting). Security forces have repressed protesters, with some 70 dead and thousands injured and jailed. Venezuela also faces crippling economic and social challenges. An economic crisis, triggered by mismanagement and low oil prices, is worsening. In 2016, the economy contracted by 18% and inflation averaged 254% according to the International Monetary Fund. Shortages of food and medicine have caused a humanitarian crisis. The Maduro government is struggling to raise the cash needed to make its debt payments and pay for imports. Some economists maintain that Venezuela is at risk of default in 2017.
    [Show full text]
  • 1 Statement of Celina B. Realuyo* Professor of Practice William J
    Statement of Celina B. Realuyo* Professor of Practice William J. Perry Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies at National Defense University on “U.S. Efforts to Counter the Convergence of Terrorism and Crime with the Financial Instrument of National Power” at a Hearing Entitled “Exploring the Financial Nexus of Terrorism, Drug Trafficking and Organized Crime ” Before the Subcommittee on Terrorism and Illicit Finance, Committee on Financial Services, U.S. House of Representatives March 20, 2018 * The views expressed in this testimony are my own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the William J. Perry Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies, National Defense University, or the Department of Defense. 1 Thank you Chairman Pearce, Vice Chairman Pittenger, Ranking Member Perlmutter, and members of the Subcommittee on Terrorism and Illicit Finance for the opportunity to appear before this committee today to testify on U.S. efforts to counter the convergence of terrorism and crime with the financial instrument of national power. We face a myriad of security threats from revisionist states, aspiring nuclear powers, global terrorism, transnational organized crime, and cyber attacks that have made national security more daunting than ever before. The complexity of these security threats, especially from illicit networks, such as terrorists, criminals, and WMD proliferators, requires nimble, multi-disciplinary, and multilateral approaches to counter these threats effectively. Over the past year, the Trump Administration has issued strategies and policies to address the threats from terrorism and transnational organized crime to U.S. interests at home and abroad, including a new U.S. National Security Strategy. These new strategies recognize financing as one of the most critical of enablers for terrorism, crime, and corruption and include financial and economic measures that seek to better detect, dismantle, and deter these illicit threat networks.
    [Show full text]
  • Venezuela: Background and U.S
    Venezuela: Background and U.S. Relations Updated June 4, 2019 Congressional Research Service https://crsreports.congress.gov R44841 Venezuela: Background and U.S. Relations Summary Venezuela remains in a deep political and economic crisis under the authoritarian rule of Nicolás Maduro of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela. Maduro, narrowly elected in 2013 after the death of Hugo Chávez (president, 1999-2013), began a second term on January 10, 2019, that most Venezuelans and much of the international community consider illegitimate. Since January, Juan Guaidó, president of Venezuela’s democratically elected, opposition-controlled National Assembly, has sought to form an interim government to serve until internationally observed elections can be held. Although the United States and 53 other countries recognize Guaidó as interim president, the military high command, supported by Russia and Cuba, has remained loyal to Maduro. Venezuela is in a political stalemate as conditions in the country deteriorate. Venezuela’s economy has collapsed. It is plagued by hyperinflation, severe shortages of food and medicine, and electricity blackouts that have worsened an already dire humanitarian crisis. In April 2019, United Nations officials estimated that some 90% of Venezuelans are living in poverty and 7 million need humanitarian assistance. Maduro has blamed U.S. sanctions for these problems, but most observers cite economic mismanagement and corruption under Chávez and Maduro for the current crisis. U.N. agencies estimate that 3.7 million Venezuelans had fled the country as of March 2019, primarily to other Latin American and Caribbean countries. U.S. Policy The United States historically had close relations with Venezuela, a major U.S.
    [Show full text]