WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement Thursday after Venezuela’s National Electoral Council (CNE) announced a presidential election for April 22:
“The announcement of a snap presidential election marks yet another step by President Nicolas Maduro to establish a consolidated dictatorship in Venezuela. He knows the only way to maintain his grip on power would be through a controlled, limited election. For these elections to have any credibility, Maduro must replace current electoral authorities, permit the participation of all political actors, and invite independent international observers. As foreign ministers from across the hemisphere recently stated – without these conditions, the elections will lack legitimacy and will only prolong Venezuela’s economic and humanitarian tragedy.”
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