Title 22 — Foreign Relations and IntercourseRelease 119-73not60

§9703 Advancing a Negotiated Solution to Venezuela’s Crisis

Title 22 › Chapter 104— VENEZUELA ASSISTANCE › Subchapter I— SUPPORT FOR THE INTERIM PRESIDENT OF VENEZUELA AND RECOGNITION OF THE VENEZUELAN NATIONAL ASSEMBLY › § 9703

Last updated Apr 5, 2026|Official source

Summary

Congress says direct, credible talks led by the Interim President and members of the democratically elected National Assembly are the best way to solve Venezuela’s crisis. These talks have support from other countries that recognize the Interim President. They must include input from Venezuelan civil society and aim to do things like hold a new presidential election that meets international standards, end Nicolás Maduro’s takeover of presidential power, restore democracy and the rule of law, free political prisoners, and let humanitarian aid reach people in need. Congress also notes talks that began in October 2017 (backed by Mexico, Chile, Bolivia, and Nicaragua) and October 2016 (backed by the Vatican) failed because the Maduro government did not participate credibly. The United States will support diplomatic efforts to reach a negotiated, peaceful solution like the one described above.

Full Legal Text

Title 22, §9703

Foreign Relations and Intercourse — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)It is the sense of Congress that—

(1)direct, credible negotiations led by the Interim President of Venezuela and members of Venezuela’s democratically elected National Assembly—

(A)are supported by stakeholders in the international community that have recognized the Interim President of Venezuela;

(B)include the input and interests of Venezuelan civil society; and

(C)represent the best opportunity to reach a solution to the Venezuelan crisis that includes—

(i)holding a new presidential election that complies with international standards for a free, fair, and transparent electoral process;

(ii)ending Nicolás Maduro’s usurpation of presidential authorities;

(iii)restoring democracy and the rule of law;

(iv)freeing political prisoners; and

(v)facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid;

(2)dialogue between the Maduro regime and representatives of the political opposition that commenced in October 2017, and were supported by the Governments of Mexico, of Chile, of Bolivia, and of Nicaragua, did not result in an agreement because the Maduro regime failed to credibly participate in the process; and

(3)negotiations between the Maduro regime and representatives of the political opposition that commenced in October 2016, and were supported by the Vatican, did not result in an agreement because the Maduro regime failed to credibly participate in the process.

(b)It is the policy of the United States to support diplomatic engagement in order to advance a negotiated and peaceful solution to Venezuela’s political, economic, and humanitarian crisis that is described in subsection (a)(1).

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

22 U.S.C. § 9703

Title 22 — Foreign Relations and Intercourse

Last Updated

Apr 5, 2026

Release point: 119-73not60