Number: RL32488
Title: Venezuela: Political Conditions and U.S. Policy
Authors: Mark P. Sullivan, Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division 
Abstract: Concerns regarding Venezuela in the 110th Congress have focused on human rights, energy, and terrorism issues. On May 24, 2007, the Senate approved S.Res. 211, expressing profound concerns regarding freedom of expression. On November 5, 2007, the House approved H.Res. 435, expressing concern about Iran's efforts to expand its influence in Latin America, and noting Venezuela's increasing cooperation with Iran. On July 23, 2008, the House approved H.R. 6545, which would require a national intelligence assessment on national and energy security issues. Additional House initiatives that have been introduced include two human rights resolutions, H.Con.Res. 50 and H.Con.Res. 77; H.Res. 560, expressing concern about Venezuela's actions in the oil sector; H.Res. 965, calling upon Venezuela to deny the use of its territory and weapons from being used by terrorist organizations; H.Res. 1049, calling for Venezuela to be designated a state sponsor of terrorism; and H.Res. 1483, expressing outrage over the expulsion of U.S. Ambassadors to Venezuelan and Bolivia, and calling for these countries to resume full counternarcotics cooperation with the United States. Two Senate bills, S. 193 and S. 1007, would increase hemispheric cooperation on energy issues.
Pages: 66
Date: October 10, 2008