WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today released the following statement on the Biden Administration’s decision to ease sanctions on Venezuelan oil exports after the Maduro regime made a deal with Venezuelan political groups to hold sham elections:
“Lifting sanctions on the murderous Maduro regime shows how little the Biden Administration has learned. The agreement between the regime and some opposition parties is silent on the fate of more than 300 political prisoners and wrongfully detained Americans, vague about guarantees for an electoral process the regime has already undermined, and gives institutions controlled by Maduro control of the future of Venezuela.
“Instead of rewarding fake progress, the Biden Administration should exert the pressure necessary to end the Maduro regime’s nefarious activities and create a credible path towards a return to democracy for Venezuela. The Senate can help hold Maduro's feet to the fire by adopting my Venezuela Democracy Act.”
###