Chairman Risch Opening Statement at Hearing on the U.S. Policy Towards Venezuela

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today gave the following opening remarks at a full committee hearing titled "U.S. Policy Towards Venezuela." Witnesses included The Honorable Secretary Rubio.

Chairman Risch gave the following remarks:

"I'd like to start this hearing on the Venezuela situation by recognizing the brave men and women who participated in this operation. The intelligence gathering, planning, and execution were incredible. Only the U.S. could pull this mission off, and that's only because of the dedication and professionalism of each and every one of our servicemembers. As we know, much of their work is done in secret, but I do hope these people will receive the accolades they so rightfully deserve.

"I also want to acknowledge the leadership President Trump and you have shown, Secretary Rubio. It is no easy job keeping drugs and narcoterrorists off our streets and keeping Americans safe. Thank you for extraditing Nicolas Maduro and bringing him to account for his many crimes against the American people.

"Let me reiterate a point that I have made many times on the Senate floor: President Trump's actions against narcoterrorists and his capture of Maduro have made America safer. Every American should be thanking Donald Trump and Marco Rubio for what they have done.

"There are a lot of Americans today who wouldn't be alive if not for your commitment and dedication to stemming the flow of drugs into our country.

"These actions were limited in scope, short in duration, and done to protect U.S. interests and citizens. What President Trump has done in Venezuela is the definition of the president's Article II constitutional authorities as Commander-in-Chief. And wholly consistent with other president's efforts, what they have done, and actions they have taken to protect the American people from threats in our own hemisphere.

"In fact, President George H.W. Bush authorized similar-but much broader and more extensive-military operations to arrest and bring Panama's Manuel Noriega to the United States to stand trial for drug-related charges. In that case, President Bush deployed more than 9,000 troops into Panama for more than a month. At the time, all leaders of the Senate, including democrats, praised that move.

"Unlike in Panama, President Trump authorized a much more limited military action in Venezuela with only about 200 troops inside the country for a couple of hours, and a firefight that lasted less than 27 minutes. With no loss of life on the U.S. side, but significant causalities on the other side. This military action was incredibly brief, targeted, and successful.

"When bad guys are in the business of flooding drugs into the United States-drugs that kill our children, hurt our country, violate U.S. laws, and destabilize our hemisphere-then they'll have to be held to answer for those actions and that's what's being done now.

"Maduro was not recognized as the legitimate leader of Venezuela, by President Trump, or even by President Biden, or by most of the international community. It is a service to the world that this illegitimate leader is no longer in power.

"Now, the United States has a tremendous opportunity before us in Venezuela.

"Because of the complexity of this job, there has been some confusion as to how it will be done. I have been impressed by the way you, Secretary Rubio, have explained the plan to me going forward right from the start. It is clear and doable. I know you will lay that out for us here today."

"Venezuela's natural resources have frequently been used to bolster the economy of our adversaries-especially China. Through President Trump's action, we have effectively cut off that supply, giving the United States tremendous leverage.

"After our lengthy engagements in the Middle East in years past, many Americans are concerned about so-called "forever wars." I know this administration is laser-focused on avoiding those experiences.

"With Nicolas Maduro out of power, the United States has the opportunity to better protect America by bringing stability to Venezuela. The country has a history of democracy, free markets, and respect for human rights. It is only during the last two dictatorships that it has lost these attributes. The Venezuelan people are not strangers to these concepts and long to have them reinstated.

"They have you and President Trump to thank for giving them another chance."

"It is all our hope that the Venezuelan people will soon be able to hold free and fair elections for their leaders. To get there, Venezuela may require U.S. and international oversight to ensure these elections are indeed free and fair, unlike their most recent elections.

"Secretary Rubio, thank you again for being here today. I look forward to a productive discussion.

"And with that, I'd like to hear the distinguished ranking member's views on these matters."

These remarks have been lightly edited for clarity. Witness testimony is available on foreign.senate.gov.

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