AR252

An Assembly Resolution recognizing Colombia for accepting refugees from Venezuela and condemning Venezuela for blocking humanitarian aid efforts.

Whereas, Mr. Nicolas Maduro, who was elected as Venezuela’s President in 2013, was elected last year to a second term, but the vote was marred by allegations of coercion and fraud; and

Whereas, Even though he was sworn in for a second term, the National Assembly, controlled by opposition parties, called Mr. Maduro’s government illegitimate; and

Whereas, The Assembly’s leader, Mr. Juan Guaido, declared himself interim President and the United States, and other countries, recognize him as the leader of Venezuela; and

Whereas, As a result of government-led mismanagement and corruption, Venezuela is in an economic free fall, basic food and medicines are increasingly scarce, and the devastation of the health-care system has spurred outbreaks of treatable diseases and rising death rates; and

Whereas, The economic collapse and food and medical shortages have endangered the lives of millions of people and driven millions of others to leave the country; and

Whereas, Mr. Guaido identified the economic collapse and shortages as an emergency and crisis, and voiced the need for humanitarian aid to help the people of Venezuela; and

Whereas, Colombia was one of three collection points for international humanitarian aid; and

Whereas, Mr. Maduro ordered Venezuela’s military to blockade a major highway link with Colombia to prevent opponents of his leadership from bringing food and medicine into Venezuela; and

Whereas, In addition, Mr. Maduro determined that Colombia’s efforts to assist the opposition in bringing humanitarian aid to Venezuela were intolerable and broke all political and diplomatic relations with Colombia; and

Whereas, Mr. Maduro’s actions have instilled fear, resulting in approximately 5,000 Venezuelans leaving every day in search of a better life; and

Whereas, Colombia has become one of the main destinations for migrating Venezuelan’s, hosting over 1.1 million refugees; and

Whereas, Colombia has implemented resourceful solutions to help the refugees, but it has put a strain on the country’s own resources, underscoring a need for support from the international community; and

Whereas, Colombia has not turned away any Venezuelan refugees, even though the needs of the refugees and the hosting communities continue to increase; and

Whereas, Colombia should be recognized for accepting refugees from Venezuela; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. This House recognizes Colombia for accepting refugees from Venezuela, and condemns Venezuela for blocking humanitarian aid efforts.

2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the General Assembly to the Governor, the United States Ambassador to Colombia, the Ambassador of Colombia to the United States, and each member of Congress elected from this State.

STATEMENT

This resolution recognizes Colombia for accepting refugees from Venezuela, and condemns Venezuela for blocking humanitarian aid efforts.

Mr. Nicolas Maduro, who was elected Venezuela’s President in 2013, was elected last year to a second term, but the vote was marred by allegations of coercion and fraud. The National Assembly, controlled by opposition parties, called Mr. Maduro’s government illegitimate and the Assembly’s leader, Mr. Juan Guaido, declared himself interim President.

Venezuela’s economic choices have led to a humanitarian crisis that has led to food and medical shortages, endangering the lives of millions of people and driving millions of others to leave the country. While Mr. Maduro has refused any aid, Mr. Guaido has voiced the need for humanitarian aid to help the people of Venezuela.

Colombia was one of three collection points for the aid, but Mr. Maduro ordered the military to blockade a major highway link to prevent opponents of his leadership from bringing food and medicine into Venezuela.

Mr. Maduro’s actions have instilled fear, resulting in approximately 5,000 Venezuelans leaving every day in search of a better life. Colombia has become one of the main destinations for migrating Venezuelan’s, hosting over 1.1 million refugees. Colombia has not turned away any refugees, even though the needs of the refugees and the communities hosting them continue to increase and put a strain on the country’s resources.

Colombia should be recognized for accepting refugees from Venezuela.