Washington, D.C. - House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce (R-CA) announced the following upcoming committee event.
Wednesday, March 15
Subcommittee Hearing: Venezuela’s Tragic Meltdown
2 p.m. on Wednesday, March 15 in 2172 Rayburn House Office Building
Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere
Rep. Jeff Duncan (R-SC), Chairman
Invited Witnesses Include.
Hector Schamis, Ph.D.
Adjunct Professor
Walsh School of Foreign Service
Georgetown University
Mr. Franciso Marquez
Human Rights Activist
Chairman Duncan on the hearing: “Today, the crisis in Venezuela has regressed on every level. Although once the richest country in the region, Venezuela has suffered severe corruption, economic mismanagement, and the deterioration of democracy first under former President Hugo Chavez and now under President Nicolas Maduro’s oppressive tenure. Thousands of people have fled the country in search of food, medicine, and basic goods. Political prisoners are at a record high, and the Maduro regime continues to forcefully silence dissent. There are no separation of powers or independent institutions in the country, and drug trafficking and organized crime are rampant. This hearing continues the Subcommittee’s oversight begun last Congress with two previous hearings on Venezuela, and I look forward to getting a clearer picture of the situation in the country and the regional response from our witnesses as well as suggestions for U.S. policy moving forward."
***See www.foreignaffairs.house.gov for updates.
***Coverage note: All Foreign Affairs Committee proceedings are webcast live at www.foreignaffairs.house.gov/live-video-feed.
