The United States insisted Nicola Maduro He released activists who had been detained for denouncing Savismo (sic) and promised to do so “An independent and vibrant civil society is the cornerstone of democracy.” By Herb Brewer. Full Text -> Hustonianonline

Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman met with Venezuelan Interim Government International Relations Commissioner Julio Borges today in Washington, D.C.  Deputy Secretary Sherman and Commissioner Borges emphasized the urgent need for time-bound, comprehensive Venezuelan-led negotiations to restore democracy, human rights, and the rule of the law in Venezuela through free and fair local, parliamentary, and presidential elections.   Full Text -> USDoS

Today, the Department of Justice announced the successful seizure of over one million barrels of Iranian gasoline intended for the illegitimate Maduro regime in Venezuela. The proceeds from these shipments would have allegedly benefitted Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization. Press Statement. By Morgan Ortagus. Full Text -> U.S. DoS

“So I would say my answer to what went wrong is what went wrong is that Nicolas Maduro decided to impose a vicious and brutal regime on the country, and look at the impact on Venezuela.  We believe, as do about five dozen democracies around the world, that this is the correct policy, that we need to support the people of Venezuela in their struggle to restore what they had, which is democracy.  So you will see the continuation of this policy.  As I’ve noted, we imposed sanctions last week; we imposed some additional sanctions this week.  I have no doubt whatsoever that this will continue and there’ll be more pressures imposed via sanctions and also diplomatic activity, which we’re very actively engaged in”. Elliot Abrams. Full Text -> US Department of State

That Venezuelan socialist dictator Nicolas Maduro remains in power is a testament to his military’s guns, secret police repression, torture of his pro-democracy opposition and the malign charity of four buddy dictatorships, Russia, Iran, Cuba and China. By Austin Bay. Full Text -> The Epoch Times