U.S. Department of State
Office of the Spokesperson
Statement by Heather Nauert, Spokesperson
December 22, 2017
Illegitimate Constituent Assembly Undermining Democracy in Venezuela
The United States condemns the illegitimate Constituent Assembly’s continued attacks on Venezuelan democracy. On December 20, it passed a decree to effectively ban certain political opposition parties from participating in the 2018 presidential election. The Venezuelan people deserve better. The U.S. calls for respect for the Venezuelan constitution and the will of the Venezuelan people through the democratically elected National Assembly. Venezuela must have free and fair presidential elections in 2018.
