Ros-Lehtinen Applauds New Sanctions Against Venezuelan Regime Officials

Statement

Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Chairman of the Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa, made the following statement after Vice President Pence, speaking at the Organization of American States, announced new sanctions under the Kingpin Act against three Venezuelan regime officials and 20 companies owned or controlled by these officials. Those designated were: Pedro Luis Martin Olivaris (Martin), former Chief of Financial Intelligence for Venezuela's National Directorate of Intelligence and Prevention Services, as well as his associates, Walter Alexander Del Nogal Marquez and Mario Antonio Rodriguez Espinoza. Statement by Ros-Lehtinen

"I applaud the Administration for taking decisive action today against these Venezuelan regime officials and designating them under the Kingpin Act for their roles in international narcotics trafficking, money laundering and corruption. This move represents a loud and clear warning to those within the Maduro regime, as well as those individuals or entities that materially assist or support them, that they will be held to account for their illicit activity. It also sends a strong message to the people of Venezuela that we have not given up on their aspirations for a free and democratic Venezuela.

"Were there a list of Venezuela's worst miscreants, surely Martin and his lackeys would be at the top. Martin has used his positions of power to institutionalize corruption and extortion, and to facilitate the movement of illicit narcotics through Venezuela. His actions, together with other corrupt regime officials like Diosdado Cabello, who unfortunately was not designated for his role in the illicit drug trade, have led some to call Venezuela a "global hub for cocaine trafficking and money laundering.' These activities have not only damaged Venezuela and its neighbor, Colombia, but has been for the direct benefit for the likes of the communist Castro regime and for the Iranian proxy and designated foreign terrorist organization, Hezbollah.

"As the political and humanitarian crisis in Venezuela continue to deteriorate, and with sham elections quickly approaching, I urge the Administration to continue to sanction more individuals who are involved in the dismantling of the country's democratic institutions. The U.S. must not waver in its commitment to uphold democratic values and support the people of Venezuela who have suffered for far too long at the hands of Maduro and his cronies."

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