FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

We are deeply concerned about the Maduro government’s violent crackdown on protestors in Venezuela. President Maduro’s disregard for the fundamental rights of his own people has heightened the political and economic crisis in the country.

The Maduro regime must respect Venezuela’s constitution and the voice of its people. We are particularly concerned that the government is failing to provide basic food and medical needs to the Venezuelan people.

We are closely monitoring reports about the conditions of Venezuelan political prisoners, particularly Leopoldo Lopez, held on trumped up charges by the government since 2014. We call on the Venezuelan government to immediately release all those unjustly detained.

We are also troubled by reports about the health of those held in Venezuela’s prisons, including U.S. citizen Joshua Holt. We again call on the Venezuelan government to release Mr. Holt on humanitarian grounds.

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