WASHINGTON, May 10, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute (CHLI) supports the people of Venezuela as they fight for their freedom and democracy. The policies of the Nicolas Maduro regime have resulted in extreme shortages of food, medicine, and other essential goods, and have led to a dire humanitarian crisis in Venezuela. In recent weeks the regime has unleashed violence against the Venezuelan people, leading to countless civilian casualties.
Lilian Tintori and Antonieta Mendoza de Lopez, wife and mother of jailed Venezuelan opposition leader, Leopoldo Lopez, were denied access and information about Lopez’s whereabouts for over 35 days. Leopoldo Lopez is one of approximately 200 political prisoners whose most basic human rights are being violated. He was CHLI’s 2016 International Relations Honoree, and CHLI has pledged to him, his family, and the people of Venezuela, solidarity as they fight for free and fair elections.
CHLI is urging Members of Congress to support the people of Venezuela by denouncing the brutal Maduro regime, by highlighting the atrocities of the regime, and by facilitating humanitarian aid. CHLI is thankful to our Congressional Board Members and other Members of Congress who have vocalized their support for the people of Venezuela, and looks forward to working with these Members to continue to raise awareness of the dire situation in Venezuela.
CHLI is urging other national organizations to support the people of Venezuela and denounce the regime by issuing statements of support for democracy and organizing efforts for humanitarian aid.
CHLI is urging national media to highlight the atrocities currently occurring in Venezuela so that the American public can become more informed about the crises in our hemisphere.
CHLI recognizes that the situation in Venezuela has implications for U.S. Hispanics, the United States and the entire Western Hemisphere.
CHLI believes that taking a stand is imperative. As citizens of the United States, and of the world, we must denounce the brutal Maduro regime and stand with the people of Venezuela as they fight for their basic human rights and for freedom and democracy.
About CHLI:
The Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute (CHLI) is the premier organization founded by Members of Congress and corporate leaders to advance the Hispanic community's economic progress with a focus on social responsibility and global competitiveness. Founded in 2003, CHLI is a 501(c)3 non-profit and non-partisan organization. CHLI is dedicated to fostering a broad awareness of the diversity of thought, heritage, interests, and views of Americans of Hispanic and Portuguese descent.