The United States condemns the fraudulent election that took place in Venezuela on May 20. This so-called “election” is an attack on constitutional order and an affront to Venezuela’s tradition of democracy. Until the Maduro regime restores a democratic path in Venezuela through free, fair, and transparent elections, the government faces isolation from the international community.

Sunday’s process was choreographed by a regime too unpopular and afraid of its own people to risk free elections and open competition. It stacked the Venezuelan courts and National Electoral Council with biased members aligned with the regime. It silenced dissenting voices. It banned major opposition parties and leaders from participating. As of May 14, more than 338 political prisoners remained jailed, more than in all other countries in the hemisphere combined. The regime stifled the free press. State sources dominated media coverage, unfairly favoring the incumbent. Most contemptible of all, the regime selectively parceled out food to manipulate the votes of hungry Venezuelans.

The Maduro regime fails to defend the Venezuelan people’s right to democracy as reflected in the Inter-American Democratic Charter. The United States stands with democratic nations in support of the Venezuelan people and will take swift economic and diplomatic actions to support the restoration of their democracy.

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The below is attributable to Spokesperson Heather Nauert:

On May 20, Deputy Secretary of State John J. Sullivan met with Republic of Korea (ROK) Vice Foreign Minister Cho Hyun on the margins of the G-20 Foreign Ministerial Meeting. Deputy Secretary Sullivan and Vice Foreign Minister Cho affirmed that the U.S.-ROK Alliance is stronger than ever and pledged to maintain close coordination during this crucial time.

The two leaders noted that the upcoming meeting between President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is an historic opportunity and evidence that the global maximum pressure campaign is working. The Deputy Secretary and the Vice Foreign Minister also discussed mutual G-20 priorities, bilateral economic cooperation, and trilateral initiatives with Japan.

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I send my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Sabika Sheikh, who was killed in the tragic shooting at Santa Fe High School in Texas, yesterday. Sabika was in the United States on the State Department-sponsored Youth Exchange and Study program, helping to build ties between the United States and her native Pakistan. Sabika’s death and that of the other victims is heartbreaking and will be mourned deeply both here in the United States, and in Pakistan.

The Office of Website Management, Bureau of Public Affairs, manages this site as a portal for information from the U.S. State Department.
External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein.

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Heather Nauert:

On May 18, Secretary Pompeo called Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to congratulate the Prime Minister on his new position and offer the United States’ strong support for the government and people of Ethiopia as they continue efforts to deepen democratic reforms.

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External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein.

The U.S. Department of State is pleased to make available the Record of Discussion between the United States and the United Arab Emirates setting out the understanding on Open Skies announced by Secretary Pompeo on May 14. Memorializing high-level political commitments by both governments, the Record of Discussion affirms their strong commitment to maintain the U.S-UAE Air Transport Agreement of 2002, all rights and obligations of which remain in force, and expresses their sincere desire to maintain the many benefits that Agreement has created.

Separately, the UAE government informed the U.S. government that its air carriers have no current plans to make any changes to the Fifth Freedom services that they operate in accordance with that Agreement, stipulating that nothing in their communication amends or otherwise changes the 2002 Agreement or any rights therein.

We welcome this positive outcome for the strong and multi-faceted bilateral relationship between the United States and the United Arab Emirates and reaffirm that the Department of State will continue to ensure our Open Skies policy benefits U.S. stakeholders as intended.

Please find the signed Record of Discussion between the United States and the United Arab Emirates here.

The Office of Website Management, Bureau of Public Affairs, manages this site as a portal for information from the U.S. State Department.
External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein.