Democrats tell Obama to drop Venezuela sanctions

U.S. President Barack Obama arrives from Camp David to the South Lawn of the White House in Washington May 14, 2015 | Photo: Reuters

Congressional Democrats have admitted U.S. sanctions on Venezuela have backfired. Saying U.S. sanctions on Venezuela have “undermined” Washington's relationship with Latin America, members of the U.S. congress warned President Barack Obama Friday.

In an open letter to Obama, 16 members of congress expressed concern that recent sanctions on Venezuela have backfired on the United States.

“We believe that it is in the best interests of the United states, Venezuela and the hemisphere that the (Obama) administration refrain from imposing further unilateral sanctions (on Venezuela),” the letter read.

All 16 signatories were Democrats, who called on Obama to engage in “direct dialogue with the government of Venezuela.”

Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro has repeatedly called for talks with the United States to improve relations.

Ecuador's government has also offered to mediate talks, though the White House has so far shied away.

“The strong accolades that the United States received at the Summit of the Americas in Panama last month demonstrated that dialogue and engagement can strengthen our partnerships in the region and ultimately advance our national interests,” the Democrats stated. During the summit, Washington faced an avalanche of fierce criticism from Latin American leaders over Obama's sanctions on Venezuela.

In March, Obama declared Venezuela an “unusual and extraordinary threat” to U.S. interests, and hit government officials in Caracas with travel bans and asset freezes.

Friday's letter from the 16 Democrats conceded the sanctions had been met by widespread regional condemnation – including from key U.S. allies.

“In an interview with the Miami Herald last month, Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos, one of the United States closest allies in the hemisphere … argued that, 'History has demonstrated that unilateral sanctions are counterproductive in the long run,'” they said.

The members of Congress also pointed out that Venezuelans “overwhelmingly” oppose the sanctions. Citing a poll by Venezuelan firm Datanalisis, they said, “nearly three quarters of Venezuelans oppose U.S. sanctions.” Over 10 million people have signed a petition calling for Obama to rescind the sanctions.

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