CHAIRMAN DAN BURTON INTRODUCES RESOLUTION CONDEMNING THE GOVERNMENT OF VENEZUELA FOR ITS INADEQUATE COUNTER-NARCOTICS ENFORCEMENT
Press Release
(Washington, D.C.) 11.05.06 – Today, Congressman Dan Burton [R-IN-05], Chairman of the House International Relations Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, introduced a resolution condemning the Government of Venezuela for its inadequate counter-narcotics enforcement, and calls on President Hugo Chavez to live up to his promises to combat drug trafficking and money laundering.
According to the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), approximately 90% of the cocaine and heroin that transits through Venezuela’s airports is not being intercepted.
“It appears as though President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela is not using his power and prestige to effectively interdict the drugs that are freely flowing throughout his country. It is very disturbing that the President of a major South American country is unable or appears to be unwilling to combat the trafficking of this poisonous scourge.”
Chairman Burton’s resolution has 23 original co-sponsors, including, Reps. Calvert, Chabot, Coble, Davis (FL), Davis (VA), Gallegly, Granger, Harris, Issa, Kirk, Mack, Mica, McCaul, McCotter, Myrick, Pence, Rogers (MI), Rohrabacher, Ros-Lehtinen, Smith (NJ), Souder, Weller, and Wilson (SC).
“My colleagues and I are calling on President Chavez to live up to his responsibilities and obligations and work to secure Venezuela’s airports and borders as he has promised to do on numerous occasions. To date though, President Chavez has yet to fulfill his obligations to the United States or the international community.”
“If President Chavez is truly interested in being a leader in this hemisphere he needs to start by securing his ports and borders. The United States and the international community needs to see hard evidence that he is sincere in his commitment, responsibilities and obligations in the War on Drugs.”
CONTACT: STEPHEN E. SCHATZ
RELEASE: MAY 11, 2006
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