OAN Newsroom
UPDATED 12:30 PM PT – Saturday, September 19, 2020
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo traveled to Boa Vista, Brazil this week to hold bilateral talks. On Friday, he held a conference at a Venezuelan migrant camp in the northeastern region of the country.
He also met with his Brazilian counterpart to discuss the evolving situation in Venezuela and the major presence of its refugees in the country.
Every day that Maduro remains in power is another day that the needs of the Venezuelan people are neglected. Together with our Brazilian partners, the United States is proud to assist Venezuelans fleeing the illegitimate Maduro regime and support them in their time of need. pic.twitter.com/aCnKvPequQ
— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) September 19, 2020
Pompeo extended his gratitude to the Brazilian government for its continued efforts to protect refugees.
“You have provided shelter to nearly 260,000 Venezuelans, who are deeply in need to date,” he stated. “My government has provided roughly $50 million in humanitarian aid for this cause, primarily here in this state.”
The secretary also announced a $348 million relief package, which will go towards assisting refugees in the region. He went on to condemn Venezuelan President Nicholas Maduro for creating a “man-made crisis” in Brazil.
The situation in Venezuela amounts to one of the worst man-made crises in the world. We applaud Brazil’s regional leadership in providing humanitarian assistance; Operation Welcome is a tremendous model of strong collaboration with civil society. pic.twitter.com/Ad9sLU6Xm1
— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) September 19, 2020
