Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-NY, declined to denounce Venezuelan strongman Nicolas Maduro Monday, instead criticizing U.S. interventionism.
“I think that this is absolutely a complex issue. I think it’s important that we approach this very carefully,” Ocasio-Cortez said when asked whether she would denounce Maduro. “Myself, just like anyone else, is absolutely concerned with the humanitarian crises that’s happening, and I think it’s important that any solution we have centers the Venezuelan people and centers the democracy of the Venezuelan people first. I am very concerned about U.S. interventionism in Venezuela, and I oppose it, especially when we talk about a figure like U.S. Special Envoy Elliott Abrams here. He’s pled guilty to several crimes related to Iran-Contra. I am generally opposed to U.S. interventionism as a principle, but particularly under this administration and under his leadership I think it’s a profound mistake.”
A reporter from CNN followed up by asking about her message to “moderate Democrats.”
[Also read: Ilhan Omar shushes Elliott Abrams: ‘Thank you for your participation’]
The U.S. and several other nations said this year they do not recognize Maduro as the legitimate president of Venezuela after many in the country raised concerns about changes to the electoral process and widespread food shortages. President Trump recognized National Assembly Speaker Juan Guaido as Venezuela’s president, but Maduro, leaning on loyal military officers, has clung to power and prevented some U.S. aid from entering the country.
Trump and other politicians have pointed to the country’s continuing embrace of socialist policies as the reason that many Venezuelans are in destitute conditions. Ocasio-Cortez is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America.
[Related: Trump to expel dozens of Maduro loyalists from the US]
