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      "date": "2013-01-10",
      "retrieved": "2016-04-06T23:42:20.759696",
      "title": "Venezuela: Issues for Congress, 2009-2012",
      "summary": "Under the rule of populist President Hugo Ch\u00e1vez, first elected in 1998, Venezuela has undergone enormous political changes, with a new constitution and unicameral legislature, and even a new name for the country, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. Human rights organizations have expressed concerns about the deterioration of democratic institutions and threats to freedom of expression under the Ch\u00e1vez government. President Ch\u00e1vez won reelection to another six-year term on October 7, 2012, by a margin of 11%, capturing about 55% of the vote compared to 44% for opposition candidate Henrique Capriles. On December 11, 2012, however, Ch\u00e1vez faced a fourth difficult operation in Cuba for an undisclosed form of cancer that has raised questions about Venezuela\u2019s political future. Because of significant health complications, Vice President Nicol\u00e1s Maduro announced on January 8, 2013, that President Ch\u00e1vez would not be sworn into office on January 10 as planned, but that he would be sworn into office at a later date, a decision supported by Venezuela\u2019s Supreme Court. Looking ahead, if President Ch\u00e1vez does not recover, the Constitution calls for a new election to be held within 30 days if the president dies or is incapacitated during the first four years of his term. \nU.S. Policy\nThe United States traditionally has had close relations with Venezuela, a major supplier of foreign oil, but there has been friction in relations under the Ch\u00e1vez government. Over the years, U.S. officials have expressed concerns about human rights, Venezuela\u2019s military arms purchases, its relations with Iran, and its efforts to export its brand of populism to other Latin American countries. Declining cooperation on anti-drug and anti-terrorism efforts has been a major concern. The United States has imposed sanctions: on several Venezuelan government and military officials for allegedly helping the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) with drug and weapons trafficking; on three Venezuelan companies for providing support to Iran; and on several Venezuelan individuals for providing support to Hezbollah. Despite tensions in relations, the Obama Administration remains committed to seeking constructive engagement with Venezuela, focusing on such areas as anti-drug and counter-terrorism efforts. In the aftermath of President Ch\u00e1vez\u2019s reelection, the White House, while acknowledging differences with President Ch\u00e1vez, congratulated the Venezuelan people on the high level of participation and the relatively peaceful election process.\nLegislative Initiatives\nAs in past years, there were concerns in the 112th Congress regarding the state of Venezuela\u2019s democracy and human rights situation and its deepening relations with Iran, and these concerns will likely continue in the 113th Congress. The 112th Congress approved H.R. 3783 (P.L. 112-220), which requires the Administration to conduct an assessment and present \u201ca strategy to address Iran\u2019s growing hostile presence and activity in the Western Hemisphere.\u201d Other initiatives that were not approved include: H.R. 2542, which would have withheld some assistance to the Organization of American States unless that body took action to invoke the Inter-American Democratic Charter regarding the status of democracy in Venezuela; H.R. 2583, which included a provision prohibiting aid to the government of Venezuela; and H.Res. 247, which would have called on the Secretary of State to designate Venezuela as a state sponsor of terrorism. \nIn action on FY2013 foreign aid appropriations, the report to the House Appropriations Committee bill, H.R. 5857 (H.Rept. 112-494, reported May 25, 2012), directs that $5 million in Economic Support Funds be provided for democracy programs in Venezuela, the same amount appropriated in FY2012, and $2 million more than requested by the Administration. In contrast, the report to the Senate Appropriations Committee bill, S. 3241 (S.Rept. 112-172, reported May 24, 2012), recommends $3 million for democracy programs in Venezuela to be administered by the National Endowment for Democracy. Ultimately, the 112th Congress did not complete action on a FY2013 full-year foreign operations appropriations measure, but it did approve a Continuing Appropriations Resolution, FY2013 (P.L. 112-175) in September 2012, which funds regular foreign aid accounts at the same level as in FY2012, plus 0.612% through March 27, 2013. Specific country accounts, however, are left to the discretion of responsible agencies. The 113th Congress will need to address foreign aid appropriations for the balance of FY2013.\nNote: This report provides background on political and economic changes in Venezuela, U.S. policy, and U.S. legislative action and initiatives from 2009-2012 covering the 111th and 112th Congress. It will not be updated.",
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      "id": "R40938_2012Oct16",
      "date": "2012-10-16",
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      "title": "Venezuela: Issues for Congress",
      "summary": "This report discusses the current Congressional issues in relation to Venezuela, including background on the political situation and recent developments, the economic conditions, relevant U.S. policies, and the legislative initiatives in the 111th and 112th Congresses.  The United States traditionally has had close relations with Venezuela, a major supplier of foreign oil, but there has been friction in relations under the government of populist President Hugo Ch\u00e1vez. U.S. officials have expressed concerns about human rights, Venezuela's military arms purchases, its relations with Cuba and Iran, and its efforts to export its brand of populism to other Latin American countries.",
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      "id": "R40938_2012Aug30",
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      "title": "Venezuela: Issues for Congress",
      "summary": "This report discusses the current Congressional issues in relation to Venezuela, including background on the political situation and recent developments, the economic conditions, relevant U.S. policies, and the legislative initiatives in the 111th and 112th Congresses.  The United States traditionally has had close relations with Venezuela, a major supplier of foreign oil, but there has been friction in relations under the government of populist President Hugo Ch\u00e1vez. U.S. officials have expressed concerns about human rights, Venezuela's military arms purchases, its relations with Cuba and Iran, and its efforts to export its brand of populism to other Latin American countries.",
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      "id": "R40938_2012Mar29",
      "date": "2012-03-29",
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      "id": "R40938_2011Jun27",
      "date": "2011-06-27",
      "retrieved": "2012-06-15T10:07:48",
      "title": "Venezuela: Issues for Congress",
      "summary": "The United States traditionally has had close relations with Venezuela, a major supplier of foreign oil, but there has been friction in relations under the government of populist President Hugo Ch\u00e1vez. U.S. officials have expressed concerns about human rights, Venezuela's military arms purchases, its relations with Cuba and Iran, and its efforts to export its brand of populism to other Latin American countries. Declining cooperation on anti-drug and anti-terrorism efforts has also been a concern.",
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          "name": "Foreign policy and Congress"
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      "title": "Venezuela: Issues for Congress",
      "summary": "This report covers the issues Venezuela poses for Congress.  It examines the Venezualian political situation, its economic conditions, the United States policy toward Venezuela, and the legislative initiatives of the 111th Congress regarding this foreign nation.",
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      "title": "Venezuela: Issues in the 111th Congress",
      "summary": "This report discusses U.S.-Venezuela relations, including an historical overview. It also discusses the current political conditions in Venezuela, and certain Venezuela-related concerns the 111th Congress faces, such as Venezuela's human rights situation and its deepening relations with Iran.",
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