WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement regarding the events unfolding in Venezuela:

“I applaud the courage of the democratically-elected Venezuelan National Assembly and the Venezuelan people who today have taken an important step to restore the rule of law and end the brutal dictatorship of Nicolas Maduro. I continue to support them and the Organization of the American States, the Lima Group, and others in their efforts to end this political and humanitarian crisis, and find a peaceful, democratic resolution. I also call for unfettered humanitarian access to those in need, and the safety and protection of all U.S. citizens, diplomats, and Embassy personnel in Venezuela.”