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3/19/2020

Statement of Treasury Secretary Mnuchin Following Fifth Finance Ministers’ Meeting on Venezuela | U.S. Department of the Treasury

Statement of Treasury Secretary Mnuchin Following Fifth
Finance Ministers’ Meeting on Venezuela
April 11, 2019

Washington – U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin issued the following statement

following the fi h finance ministers’ meeting on Venezuela:
“I welcomed Finance Ministers to the Treasury Department today to discuss Venezuela’s dire
economic and humanitarian situation. This was the fi h such meeting, and the first since more
than 50 countries recognized Interim President Juan Guaidó as Venezuela’s legitimate Interim
President. Participants in the meeting included o icials from Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile,
Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, France, Germany, Guatemala, Guyana, Italy, Japan, Mexico,
Panama, Portugal, Peru, Spain, and the UK.
“Previously, Finance Ministers have examined the involvement of Maduro regime insiders in
diverting funds from the subsidized food program, and the regime’s use of illegal gold mining to
help Maduro maintain power. Today, the Ministers reviewed steps taken since January to
increase financial pressure on the Maduro regime and additional steps to support the
democratically elected National Assembly and Interim President Guaidó.
“The Ministers then discussed plans for future economic support of Venezuela. We welcomed to
this discussion Dr. Ricardo Hausmann, whom Interim President Guaidó has designated as
coordinator of his economic advisors. The Ministers considered Interim President Guaidó’s
economic policy vision to stabilize Venezuela’s financial system, root out public corruption, and
spur economic growth.
“The Ministers also agreed to support robust engagement by the international financial
institutions to assist Interim President Guaidó’s government as it prepares for new elections.
The Ministers acknowledged that there may be a long and costly process of rebuilding
Venezuela a er many years of poor economic policies and kleptocracy.
“The Ministers discussed that very significant trade finance is needed to restart Venezuela’s
private sector. We are committed to work with partners to prepare these mechanisms and we
are prepared to work with Venezuela to provide technical assistance and capacity building.
https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sm651

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3/19/2020

Statement of Treasury Secretary Mnuchin Following Fifth Finance Ministers’ Meeting on Venezuela | U.S. Department of the Treasury

“The Ministers agreed to monitor developments in Venezuela closely. We will continue to
support Venezuela in its transition to a legitimate government as soon as possible to meet the
people’s aspirations for a better life and democratic future.”

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https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sm651

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