07/03/2019 06:10 PM EDT On behalf of the people of the United States of America, I congratulate interim President Juan Guaido, the National Assembly, and the people of Venezuela as you celebrate the anniversary of your independence. Once again, the Venezuelan people are besieged by dictatorship, undesired foreign presence, and profiteers.  As in the time of …

June 30, 2019 Maduro Dictatorship Tortures Opponent to Death The United States condemns the killing and torture of Capitan de Corbeta Rafael Acosta Arévalo, a Venezuelan Naval Officer, who died while in the custody of Maduro’s thugs and their Cuban advisers. We express deepest condolences to his family and loved ones. This is not the …

As Delivered Thank you Mr. Chairman, good afternoon to one and all, esteemed ministers, Secretary General, permanent representatives and delegates: Muy buenas tardes a todas y a todos. First, let me extend a special welcome to the foreign ministers who have joined us today. Sra. Ministra, Delcy Rodriguez, bienvenidos como siempre; que gusto verlo de …

Mark C. Toner Deputy Department Spokesperson Washington, DC This week’s  Inter-American Commission on Human Rights  (IACHR) hearings painted a distressing picture of the conditions for prisoners of conscience in Venezuela, including inhumane treatment at the hands of prison officials. We reiterate our call for the release of those imprisoned for their political beliefs. The Venezuelan Government unfortunately continues to block …

Among many things, President Obama said: “In his most famous poem [“Cultivo Una Rosa Blanca”), Jose Marti made this offering of friendship and peace to both his friends and his enemies. Today, as the President of the United States of America, I offer the Cuban people a greeting of friendship and peace.“

During his speech in Havana, with his Cuban counterpart President Raul Castro, President Barack Obama responded to questions on various issues of bilateral and regional interest. Of Venezuela, he said, “I believe that the whole region has an interest in a country that is addressing its economic challenges, is responsive to the aspirations of its …

In a speech at the Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center in Washington, DC on March 17, US National Security Adviser Susan Rice spoke at great length about the United States relationship with partner countries in the Americas, our hopes for the future and how to meet the challenges ahead. About our relationship with Venezuela, she …

U.S. has no interest in seeing Venezuela fail Extract from interview by CNN en Español on March 14, 2016. Full interview: http://cnnespanol.cnn.com/2016/03/14/obama-no-nos-hacemos-ilusiones-de-que-el-regimen-de-los-castro-cambie-de-la-noche-a-la-manana/ 

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC On International Women’s Day, we celebrate the world’s women—past, present, and future—and recognize their many contributions and reflect on what more needs to be done to empower over half of the world’s population. We remember the extraordinary achievements of women throughout history, and we applaud the …

Section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)) provides for the automatic termination of a national emergency unless, within 90 days prior to the anniversary date of its declaration, the President publishes in the FederalRegister and transmits to the Congress a notice stating that the emergency is to continue in effect beyond the anniversary date.  …

Press Statement Mark C. Toner Deputy Department Spokesperson Washington, DC The United States remains concerned about actions taken by the Venezuelan administration to silence its opponents, which have led to a climate of intimidation and repression. Dozens of leaders from Venezuelan society have been imprisoned for their political beliefs. These include: Leopoldo Lopez, who will …

So, too, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid bin Ra’ad Al Hussein.  In his November 12 address to the UN Human Rights Council, he raised serious concerns about the independence of the judiciary in Venezuela, the impartiality of judges and prosecutors, and the pressures they face in handling cases of political prisoners. He reiterated …

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was forged in the aftermath of World War II to protect freedom and prevent future atrocities. As we commemorate it today, we recall President Franklin Roosevelt’s 1941 Four Freedoms address, which inspired the Universal Declaration, and which the United Nations …

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesperson STATEMENT BY SECRETARY KERRY The United States congratulates the people of Venezuela for making their voices heard in a peaceful and democratic way on Election Day. We urge Venezuelan electoral authorities to continue to tabulate and publish voting results in a timely and transparent fashion. Venezuelan voters …

John Kirby Department Spokesperson Washington, DC We condemn the attack and killing of Luis Manuel Diaz at a political rally November 25 in Altagracia de Orituco, Venezuela. This was the deadliest of several recent attacks and acts of intimidation aimed at opposition candidates. We call on the Government of Venezuela to protect all political candidates …

WASHINGTON, DC—Representative Eliot L. Engel, the Ranking Member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, today released the following statement praising Organization of American States (OAS) Secretary General Luis Almagro for his recent letter to the head of Venezuela’s National Electoral Council Tibisay Lucena urging her to level the playing field to make the country’s …

The Venezuelan president’s address today was a transparent attempt to use the UN Human Rights Council to shift attention away from his government’s own actions to restrict fundamental freedoms of peaceful assembly, association, and expression, particularly just before important national elections.  This is an affront to a Council whose sole purpose is to protect and …

One of the prosecutors in Mr. Leopoldo Lopez’s case stated recently that he was pressured to pursue the case based on illegitimate charges and false evidence. If true, these statements highlight the lack of judicial independence and adherence to due process of law in Venezuela. We call on the Venezuelan government to respect the rights …

Press Statement John Kirby Department Spokesperson Washington, DC August 29, 2015 The Department of State notes its continuing concern about the situation along the border between Venezuela and Colombia. The Department supports efforts by Colombia and Venezuela to resolve the dispute diplomatically, and welcomes initiatives to address the situation in appropriate multilateral fora. We stand …

Groundbreaking Cultural Exchange Program Returns for 4th Annual Residency and Tour, Promotes Global Collaboration, New West Coast Partners “A United Nations of Music … world music in its truest sense.”-The New York Times The same producers who invited such accomplished musical storytellers as Just a Band’s Blinky Bill Sellanga; Russian beatbox and YouTube sensation Mitya …

In recognition of our embassy’s sports programming, particularly the success of the Baseball and Friendship program, the Embassy of the United States in Caracas was among the few fortunate ones to receive two baseballs signed by the 2014 World Series players. The Major League Baseball (MLB) presented us with baseballs signed by the San Francisco …

Q: Are persons born in Puerto Rico U.S. citizens? A: Yes, all persons born in Puerto Rico are U.S. citizens.  In 1917, the U.S. Congress passed the Jones Act which extended U.S. citizenship to persons born on the island. Q: Is Puerto Rico a U.S. State? A: Puerto Rico has been a Commonwealth of the United …

DEPUTY SECRETARY BLINKEN:  Well, thank you all very, very much.  And if you’ll allow me, I just want to start before we get to our honorees with a few words about the good friend who just introduced me, Tom Malinowski.  I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Tom, working with Tom, for more than a couple …

The U.S. Department of State is pleased to announce the winners of the 2014 Human Rights Awards: Michael Honigstein and Michael Ervin are the recipients of the Human Rights and Democracy Achievement Award; and Azimjon Askarov of Kyrgyzstan and Foro Penal, a Venezuelan non-governmental organization, are the recipients of the Human Rights Defender Award. The …

Good afternoon.  It’s a pleasure to welcome you to our celebration of the 239th birthday of the United States of America.  Thank you for joining us.  We are glad to have you here. After a few years of low-profile observances, we decided it was time to do something that was bigger, more casual, less formal, …

Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I send my best wishes to the people of Venezuela as you celebrate 204 years of independence on July 5. Today we reflect on the strong ties of friendship, family, culture, sport, and commerce that …

THE PRESIDENT:  Good morning, everybody.  Please have a seat. More than 54 years ago, at the height of the Cold War, the United States closed its embassy in Havana.  Today, I can announce that the United States has agreed to formally re-establish diplomatic relations with the Republic of Cuba, and re-open embassies in our respective …

President Obama has proclaimed June 2015 to be LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered) Pride month.  We, the U.S. Embassy community, are committed to advancing human rights for all, including LGBT individuals. Fostering of a culture of inclusion, respect, and dignity by working to promote acceptance of LBGT people around the world is a top …

Marie Harf State Department Senior Advisor for Strategic Communications Washington, DC We are deeply troubled by reports that Mayor Daniel Ceballos’ health is deteriorating.  We remain concerned for the well-being of Daniel Ceballos, Leopoldo Lopez, and the other political prisoners currently in detention in Venezuela.  We call upon the government to ensure their welfare. We join the international …

Statement by Secretary Kerry On May 3rd, we honored journalists who defend democratic ideals through their commitment to discovering and telling the truth. In doing so, we also paid tribute journalism itself, a profession to that is essential to good governance and the functioning of democracy. This is a critically important time to acknowledge the …

At the 7th Summit of the Americas in Panama City, Panama, President Obama highlighted the commitment of the United States to upholding the essential role independent civil society and the private sector play in contributing to a shared democratic agenda that benefits all of the people of the Americas. The 2015 Summit of the Americas …

Today, President Obama met with Caribbean leaders in a U.S.-CARICOM Summit in Kingston, Jamaica.  President Obama reaffirmed the importance of our relationship with the region, and the United States’ commitment to partner with Caribbean countries to advance economic development, security, and good governance.  Leaders discussed a broad range of issues, from our important trade and …

Remarks by Michael J. Fitzpatrick, Interim U.S. Permanent Representative to the Organization of American States, at the Special Meeting of the Permanent Council to Receive the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Venezuela, March 19, 2015 Thank you Madam Chair, good morning to one and all, esteemed ministers, Secretary General, permanent representatives and delegates, This session …

Press Statement Jen Psaki Department Spokesperson Washington, DC February 20, 2015 The United States condemns the detention of Caracas Metropolitan Mayor Antonio Ledezma by Venezuelan security forces, as well as the systematic intimidation of other leading opposition figures. These actions appear to be a clear attempt by the Venezuelan government to divert attention from the …

Press Statement Jen Psaki Department Spokesperson Washington, DC February 19, 2015 The allegations made by the Venezuelan government that the United States is involved in coup plotting and destabilization are baseless and false. The United States does not support political transitions by non-constitutional means. Consistent with the principles enshrined in the Inter-American Democratic Charter, the …

Extract from the Daily Press Briefing on February 2, 2015 Jen Psaki Spokesperson Daily Press Briefing Washington, DC QUESTION: Venezuela. MS. PSAKI: Venezuela, mm-hmm. QUESTION: Yesterday, President Maduro said on national television that the United States is plotting to overthrow him; mentioned specifically a meeting with Vice President Biden last week with different prime ministers and heads of …

As part of the Embassy’s baseball diplomacy outreach, U.S. Chief of Mission Lee McClenny attended a very close game between the Navegantes del Magallanes and the Caribes de Anzoategui. During his visit, he met Venezuelan baseball stars, their trainers and managers, and enjoyed discussing the U.S. and Venezuelan shared passion for baseball with several media …

During a recent trip to Maracay, U.S. Chief of Mission Lee McClenny got a glimpse of the incredible collection of 3.5 million insects currently on display at the Francisco Fernández Yépez Museum of the Agricultural Zoological Institute (MIZA). Mr. McClenny was impressed with MIZA’s dedication to tropical biodiversity and its ongoing commitment to sustainable ecology …