Illegitimate Constituent Assembly Undermining Democracy in Venezuela

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.