Senate sanctions Venezuelan human rights violators

The Senate passed a bill Monday that would sanction officials violating the human rights of Venezuelan protestors.

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) introduced S. 2142, which the Senate passed by voice-vote.

{mosads}The Venezuela Defense of Human Rights and Civil Society Act directs President Obama to sanction against any current or former Venezuelan government official who violated the rights of ant-government protestors this year.

Menendez’s bill comes as peaceful protestors in Venezuela have been killed and tortured by Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

Ranking member Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) released his hold on the legislation this summer.

“A regional dialogue remains the best option to help Venezuelans find a negotiated, democratic way forward that addresses systematic violations of human rights,” Corker said. “But the Venezuelan government’s complicity with criminal activity that threatens its neighbors and the U.S. demands a firm response from our country and other nations.”

The bill also states U.S. support for the protestors and an open Democracy in the South American country.