diff --git a/presidential-actions/2024-11/2024-11-27-a-proclamation-on-thanksgiving-day-2024.md b/presidential-actions/2024-11/2024-11-27-a-proclamation-on-thanksgiving-day-2024.md new file mode 100644 index 00000000..786ba905 --- /dev/null +++ b/presidential-actions/2024-11/2024-11-27-a-proclamation-on-thanksgiving-day-2024.md @@ -0,0 +1,60 @@ +--- +date: '2024-11-27' +modified_time: 2024-11-27 15:44:54-05:00 +published_time: 2024-11-27 15:44:53-05:00 +source_url: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2024/11/27/a-proclamation-on-thanksgiving-day-2024/ +tags: presidential-actions +title: "A Proclamation on Thanksgiving Day,\_2024" +--- + +     This Thanksgiving, as families, friends, and loved ones gather in +gratitude, may we all celebrate the many blessings of our great +Nation. +     Thanksgiving is at the heart of America’s spirit of gratitude — of +finding light in times of both joy and strife.  The Pilgrims celebrated +the first Thanksgiving to honor a successful harvest, made possible by +the generosity and kindness of the Wampanoag people.  On the way to +Valley Forge, as General George Washington and his troops continued the +fierce struggle for our Nation’s independence, they found a moment for +Thanksgiving.  And amid the fight to preserve our Union during the Civil +War, President Abraham Lincoln established Thanksgiving as a national +holiday, finding gratitude in the courage of the American people who +sacrifice so much for our country. +     We are a good Nation because we are a good people.  The First Lady +and I remain inspired by the everyday Americans who lift this country up +and push us forward.  Today, so many are among their family and friends, +celebrating the love that binds them and creating new traditions that +will carry on for generations.  To anyone with an empty seat at the +dinner table, grieving the loss of a loved one, the First Lady and I +hold you in our hearts and prayers. +     America is a Nation of promise and possibilities — and that is +because, every day, ordinary Americans are doing extraordinary things. + Our service members and veterans have given all, risked all, and dared +all to keep our Nation free.  Our first responders, firefighters, and +police officers risk their lives every day to keep the rest of us safe. + I can see the best of America in them and in our workers and union +leaders, public servants and teachers, doctors and scientists, and all +who give their heart and soul to ensuring people are treated with +dignity and respect.  And I find hope in our Nation’s families, who +sacrifice so much to achieve the American Dream and build a future +worthy of our highest aspirations. +     This Thanksgiving — the last one I will declare as President — I +express my gratitude to the American people.  Serving as President has +been the honor of a lifetime.  America is the greatest country on Earth, +and there is so much to be grateful for.  May we celebrate all that +unites us — because there is nothing beyond our capacity if we do it +together. +     NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United +States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the +Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim +Thursday, November 28, 2024, as a National Day of Thanksgiving.  I +encourage the people of the United States of America to join together +and give thanks for the friends, neighbors, family members, and +communities who have supported each other over the past year in a +reflection of goodwill and unity. +    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-seventh +day of November, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-four, and +of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and +forty-ninth. + +                        JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR. diff --git a/press-briefings/2024-11/2024-11-27-background-press-call-on-venezuela.md b/press-briefings/2024-11/2024-11-27-background-press-call-on-venezuela.md new file mode 100644 index 00000000..ef1491bd --- /dev/null +++ b/press-briefings/2024-11/2024-11-27-background-press-call-on-venezuela.md @@ -0,0 +1,558 @@ +--- +date: '2024-11-27' +modified_time: 2024-11-27 16:26:20-05:00 +published_time: 2024-11-27 16:26:19-05:00 +source_url: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/press-briefings/2024/11/27/background-press-call-on-venezuela/ +tags: press-briefings +title: "Background Press Call on\_Venezuela" +--- + +Via Teleconference + +9:18 A.M. EST + +MODERATOR:  All right, so good morning, everyone.  Thank you again for +joining us on somewhat of a short notice here.  We will be speaking +about Venezuela this morning.  + +And on the line, not for reporting purposes, we will have \[senior +administration official\].  We will also have \[senior administration +official\].  And we will also have \[senior administration official\].  + +We will be on background, attributable to senior administration +officials, and the call will be embargoed until 10:30 a.m. Eastern +Time.  + +At the end of the call, I can also email, also under embargo, some of +our press releases for you to use in your reporting, but the embargo +will lift on all documents and the backgrounder at 10:30 a.m. Eastern +Time.   + +With that, I will turn it over to my colleague.  Over to you. + +SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL:  Great.  Thank you very much.  And good +morning, everyone.  Really appreciate your time.  We know that most of +you are headed into the Thanksgiving holiday.  + +The purpose of the call today is to discuss some actions we’re taking +related to Venezuela.  Tomorrow, November 28th, will mark four months to +the day from Venezuela’s presidential election, which took place on July +28th, and it was an election in which the Venezuelans voted resoundingly +to make Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia the president-elect. + +As we in the U.S. administration have said many times before, we believe +it’s extremely important that the voices of the Venezuelan people are +heard and that their votes are fairly counted and respected.  + +In the months since July 28th, we have given Nicolas Maduro and his +representatives every opportunity to do the right thing, and we have +incentivized the possibility of democratic steps.  Instead, Maduro and +his representatives decided to use violent repression and to seize power +at all costs.  This is not something the United States will stand for, +and nor will other countries in the region stand for this.  + +Therefore, the United States has taken steps to increase pressure +against Maduro and his representatives, who are responsible for the +electoral fraud that took place on July 28th and afterwards, and the +brutal repression that we’ve seen in the last few months.  + +For this reason, today I’m joined by colleagues from the Department of +State and Treasury to inform you of actions the U.S. government will be +taking to continue to hold Maduro and its representatives accountable.  + +First, the Department of the Treasury will sanction 21 security and +cabinet-level officials aligned with Nicolas Maduro.  This includes 15 +leaders of the Bolivarian National Guard, Bolivarian National Police, +the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service, Bolivarian militia, and +the General Directorate of Military Counterintelligence.  + +All of these entities are part of Maduro’s security apparatus and are +responsible for violently repressing peaceful protesters and carrying +out arbitrary detentions.  + +We have also included Maduro-aligned officials who have been responsible +for anti-democratic acts.  + +Concurrently, the Department of State imposed new restrictions on — new +visa restrictions on a significant number of Maduro alliance officials +who have undermined the electoral process in Venezuela and are +responsible for acts of repression.  + +The steps that we are taking today build on multiple actions that we +have taken already to hold the current and former Venezuelan officials +accountable for undermining democracy in Venezuela and to hold them +accountable for violating human rights.  These actions will follow on +similar sanctions and visa restrictions that we announced last +September. + +To date, we have sanctioned 180 Venezuelan officials and 100 Venezuelan +entities.  Additionally, we regularly take actions to enforce our +sanctions policy to demonstrate to Maduro and his cronies that their +undemocratic governance has consequences.  This included, last +September, the seizure of Maduro’s illegally acquired aircraft.  + +It’s important to point out that the United States does not stand alone +in expressing our concerns with Maduro’s anti-democratic actions and in +our call for the restoration of democratic norms. + +I am now going to pass the floor to my colleagues from Department of +State and from Treasury, who can discuss the further efforts that we are +taking to rally support of the international community for Venezuela’s +return to democratic norms, as well as additional information on these +sanctions actions.  Thank you. + +SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL:  Good morning.  As \[senior +administration official\] mentioned, tomorrow marks four months since +Venezuela’s presidential election.  It also marks four months of Nicolas +Maduro’s refusal to recognize the will of the Venezuelan people and his +brutal repression of those defending the true results of the election. + +We have witnessed the Venezuelan people’s courage and commitment to +democracy in the face of repression, threats, unjust detentions, and +censorship.  They overcome daily adversity as they clamor for a +democratic transition and their rights to freedom of expression. + +Maduro and his representatives continue to ignore calls from their own +people and the international community for transparency, and instead use +brute force to silence dissenters.  And they fail to present evidence +that supports any shred of Maduro’s false claim to victory. + +Democratic governments in the region and around the world press Maduro +as a united front for transparency and a restoration of democracy in +Venezuela.  The Organization of American States, for example, adopted a +U.S.-led resolution on this topic by consensus.  More than 50 countries +supported Panama’s statement of concern in New York, outside the U.N. +Security Council.  And at the U.N. General Assembly in September, more +than 50 countries and the EU called on Venezuela to end political +repression and respect the results of the election.  + +Just this week, at the G7 foreign ministers meeting in Italy, G7 +countries called on Venezuela to release political prisoners and respect +the voters’ decision for democratic change.  + +As \[senior administration official\] already noted, today we are using +our sanctions authorities to impose costs on 21 Maduro-aligned +individuals for their myriad abuses against the Venezuelan people and +attempts to steal the election.  + +Our sanctions policy seeks to incentivize democratic actions in +Venezuela, the only path to resolve Venezuela’s political, economic, and +humanitarian crisis. + +We will continue to promote accountability for Maduro and his +representatives so long as they continue repressing the Venezuelan +people. + +SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL:  Thank you all for joining today.  As my +colleagues mentioned, today the Department of the Treasury’s Office of +Foreign Assets Control, or OFAC, is sanctioning 21 security and +cabinet-level officials aligned with Nicolas Maduro.  + +These individuals are sanctioned pursuant to Executive Order 13692, as +amended, for being current or former officials of the government of +Venezuela.  They have supported and carried out Maduro’s orders to +repress civil society in his efforts to fraudulently declare himself the +winner of Venezuela’s July 28th presidential election, thus ignoring the +will of the overwhelming majority of Venezuelan voters who elected +Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia as their next president.  + +Following this election, Venezuelan security forces have arbitrarily +arrested democratic opposition supporters en masse, violently suppressed +protests, and denied individuals the right to assemble peacefully +without backlash.  These tactics also involved issuing an unjustified +arrest warrant against President-elect Urrutia, prompting his departure +from Venezuela.  + +The United States joins other democracies in the region and across the +world in condemning this subversion of democratic norms.  We stand with +the Venezuelan people and support those seeking to restore democracy in +Venezuela.  + +The Biden-Harris administration will continue to use our tools to hold +Maduro and his cronies accountable, and support the democratic +aspirations of the Venezuelan people.  + +The individuals sanctioned today are senior Venezuelan officials, +including from the Maduro-aligned Bolivarian National Guard, Bolivarian +National Police, militia, National Intelligence Service, and General +Directorate of Military Counterintelligence.  + +Again, these individuals are being designated pursuant to Executive +Order 13692. + +To date, OFAC has sanctioned over 150 Venezuelan individuals and 100 +Venezuelan entities to target current or former officials for taking +anti-democratic actions and violating human rights.  + +Since the July 28th election, Maduro and his representatives have +indiscriminately arrested Venezuelans for exercising their political and +civil rights, and deployed a range of intimidation tactics to silence +the opposition.  + +As a result of today’s action, all property and interests in property of +the designated persons described above, and of any entities that are +owned directly or indirectly, 50 percent or more of them, individually, +or with other blocked persons, that are in the United States or in the +possession or control of U.S. persons must be reported to OFAC. + +Unless authorized by a general or specific license issued by OFAC, or +exempt, OFAC’s regulations generally prohibit all transactions by U.S. +persons or within (transiting) the United States that involve any +property or interest in property of designated or otherwise blocked +persons. + +We take these actions very seriously by Maduro and his cronies, and will +continue to hold those responsible who are not abiding by the will of +the people.  Thank you. + +MODERATOR:  Thank you very much for those opening remarks.  For those +who joined just a couple of minutes late, just a reminder that this call +is on background, attributable to senior administration officials.  It +is embargoed until 10:30 a.m. Eastern Time today.  + +With that, I’ll turn it over to questions.  Please raise your hand and +we will unmute you.  Please state your name and your outlet. + +With that, we’ll go to Gabe.  + +Q    Hi there.  Good morning.  Gabe Gutierrez with NBC.  Appreciate you +doing this. + +Question: Have you spoken to the incoming Trump transition team about +Venezuela specifically?  And how aligned are you with them on, you know, +these sanctions and the policy? + +And also, while I have you, can anybody from NSC offer up any more +information on the three Americans that have just been released from +China?  Thank you. + +MODERATOR:  We’ll take the China question and we’ll get back to you, and +our colleagues at the press team can send you a statement.  + +We’ll take your first question.  Over to \[senior administration +officials\]. + +SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL:  Sure.  I’ll jump in here.  So we’re +undertaking these actions with respect to Venezuela as part of the Biden +administration’s engagement in advancing democracy in Venezuela and also +holding the Venezuelan regime and regime actors accountable for +practices that include political repression, subverting the democratic +will of the people, and things that run — and issues that run counter to +good governance in Venezuela.  + +So these actions, you know, are part of our overall policy framework.  +We obviously are aware that there will be a change in administration on +January 20th.  And at that juncture, a new administration can take up +this issue of Venezuela. + +MODERATOR:  All right, we’ll go to the next question.  We’ll go to Juan +Merlano. + +Q    Thank you, Vanessa.  Thank you, everybody.  This + +is Juan Merlano, Caracol TV, Colombia.  And Happy Thanksgiving, by the +way. + +\[Senior administration official\], maybe you can help us with this.  Is +there any plan to have a meeting between President Biden and +President-elect Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia before he tries to go back to +Venezuela?  Thank you. + +SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL:  Sure.  So I can’t speak further to +President Biden’s schedule at this time.  However, the Biden +administration in both word and deed has been very supportive of Edmundo +Gonzalez Urrutia in terms of respecting the electoral victory that he +achieved on July 28th.  And recently, we’ve also proclaimed that we view +Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia to be the president-elect in Venezuela.  + +And so, these policies of continuing to support the will of the +Venezuelan people are going to remain central to how the Biden +administration engages with the issue of Venezuela. + +SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL:  I’ll just add that Secretary Blinken +and other U.S. senior officials have spoken with Edmundo Gonzalez +Urrutia on multiple occasions, and we continue to be in close touch with +him and with Maria Corina Machado and other opposition figures in +Venezuela.  And we prioritize their views and insights as we look to +find a positive way forward. + +MODERATOR:  Thank you very much.  We’ll go to Celia Mendoza.  Please +state your outlet.  + +Q    Hi.  Thank you so much.  Celia Mendoza, Voice of America.  + +So my question goes a little bit more into — we understand that Nicolas +Maduro has not responded to pressure.  What these new sanctions could do +for him to change his course?  As we see it right now, he keeps jailing +people; he keeps moving forward with his government; is expected for him +to be taking power for the next six years in January.  How does the +administration see the last few months of the Biden-Harris strategy to +actually impact or make a dent on what so far has not been any +advancement? + +And then, the other part of that question is: Where is the conversations +that were initially talked with Mexico, Colombia, Brazil?  So far, we +have not seen any advancement on that front.  Would it be possible to +reengage those countries, before the administration leaves, to be able +to see any changes?  + +Just yesterday, the government in Diosdado Cabello said that they were +going to do a trial against Maria Corina Machado, who’s still in the +country, and they said they will do it even if she’s not present, which, +of course, is a signal that they will go after her.  And the prospective +of that happening within the next few months looks like imminent if we +follow what he has done. + +SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL:  So I think it’s important to recognize +that Nicolas Maduro, with those around him, have never been more +politically isolated.  Scores of countries have come out and recognized +that all indications are that Edmundo Gonzalez won the election.  +They’ve called on Maduro to substantiate his position.  He’s never been +able to provide any evidence to refute Edmundo Gonzalez’s overwhelming +more than 2-to-1 victory in the election on July 28th. + +The countries around Venezuela have said that they are not going to +recognize Nicolas Maduro as president of Venezuela absent the provision +of some evidence to demonstrate that. + +The international coalition of countries that seeks democracy in +Venezuela is strong, it is large, and it will continue to press Maduro +and those around them to come to the table and talk about a democratic +transition.  + +The frontline states have a special role to play in that process.  +Countries like Colombia and Brazil, in particular, with borders with +Venezuela, are influential, and they’ve continued to raise concerns in +ways that we have not seen previously.  This is very important for the +future of Venezuela, the welfare of the Venezuelan people. + +SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL:  And if I could, I’ll just add to that +that these actions that are being taken today are directed towards the +Maduro regime but also towards specific individuals and entities in the +Maduro regime that have been found credibly accused of perpetrating in +acts of repression and contravening the will of the Venezuelan people.  + +And so, I really do encourage you and everyone on this call to read the +OFAC press release, which details the fact that you’ve got people who +are, you know, in some cases, operating regional command zones that have +been under the jurisdiction of Maduro, that have targeted innocent +civilians for repression and reprisals.  It also includes senior +officials in the Venezuelan government who have strong ties to Diosdado +Cabello, a senior regime figure.  + +And so, I think that the signal that these sanctions will send is not +merely about holding Nicolas Maduro accountable, but that, in fact, +regime officials who are acting unlawfully to uphold this regime based +on repressive tactics will also find themselves in the crosshairs of +these sanctions. + +MODERATOR:  Thank you.  We’ll go to David Alandete.  Please state your +outlet. + +Q    Thank you so much.  This is David Alandete from Diario ABC in +Spain.  + +I just have a question regarding European recognition of Edmundo +Gonzalez, (inaudible) Spain, but there is still delay in the Spanish +government recognizing him as president-elect.  And I wanted to know if +you expect this to happen before the end of President Biden’s term, and +if it would be helpful for these efforts, given the fact that the +European Parliament and the Spanish Senate, separately, have recognized +him.  Thank you. + +SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL:  Well, thanks so much.  Those decisions +are sovereign decisions for each country to make.  But as you rightly +point out, key institutions in Europe have already called Edmundo +Gonzalez Urrutia the president-elect.  And the pressure that that puts +on the Maduro authorities is significant.  + +We believe that it reflects the reality of the will of Venezuelan +voters, and we believe that it’s urgent that all the countries that are +committed to seeing democratic change in Venezuela publicly continue to +press for that and to express their concern publicly and privately with +Maduro authorities. + +SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL:  And I’d also like to take this +opportunity to highlight that, yesterday, the G7 foreign ministers put +out a statement — which was released by the foreign ministers of Canada, +France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States, +and the high representative of the European Union — which treats, among +other subjects, the topic of Venezuela.  + +Regarding Venezuela, the G7 foreign ministers said that: + +“On July 28th, the Venezuelan people made a clear choice in the polls, +voting for democratic change and supporting Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia by +a significant majority, according to publicly available electoral +records.  We will continue to support efforts by regional partners to +facilitate a Venezuelan-led democratic and peaceful transition that will +ensure respect for the will of the voters.  + +We are deeply troubled by the continued violations and abuses of human +rights, including arbitrary detentions and severe restrictions on +fundamental freedoms, targeting in particular political opponents, civil +society, and independent media.  All unjustly detained political +prisoners must be released.”  + +And so, that is a statement — that includes all the G7 foreign +ministers, including the high representative of the European Union. + +MODERATOR:  Thank you.  We’ll go to Karen DeYoung. + +Q    Hi, it’s Karen DeYoung at the Washington Post.  I have a couple of +questions.  First, has any consideration been given to lifting licenses, +such as General License 41, or any individual licenses that have been +given to the energy production and export, or any other part of the +Venezuelan economy? + +Secondly, on the recognition of Edmundo Gonzalez as the president, +\[senior administration official\] said that this imposes significant +pressure.  But I wonder if you could talk about exactly what it means.  +If one goes back to the period of Juan Guaidó, what that actually +accomplished and what you expect the recognition to accomplish.  + +And finally, after the election, the United States tried to hold some +meetings with representatives of Maduro.  I wonder if you could tell me +when you last met with any representatives of the Maduro government.  +Thank you. + +SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL:  Sure.  I’ll take question one and three +and then let \[senior administration official\] comment.  + +So in terms of the licenses and overall U.S. sanctions and licensing +policy, this is something that is under continual review by us as we +seek to achieve our foreign policy objectives in Venezuela.  + +And so, we are obviously always evaluating events on the ground in +Venezuela, how that corresponds to our sanctions policy, what steps that +we can take that may provoke greater divisions in the regime as well.  + +And so, this is something we’re going to continue to review moving +forward and certainly all the way to the end of this administration. + +And then, with respect to direct talks with Maduro authorities, we +really can’t comment on diplomatic — discreet diplomatic discussions.  +But what we can say is that we remain in constant contact with a wide +range of allies in the region and beyond, with respect to developments +in Venezuela. + +MODERATOR:  \[Senior administration official\], are you trying to speak? + +SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL:  I was thinking, I think \[senior +administration official\] covered it all, so I don’t think I have +anything to add. + +MODERATOR:  Great.  More chance for questions.  + +We’ll go next to Carla Angola.  Please state your outlet. + +Q    Good morning.  Thank you for doing this.  My first question is — +Carla Angola from EVTV. + +The president of Venezuela has reported that he’s willing to return to +the country on January 10 to take office.  Would the United States be +willing to accompany him, from a logistical point of view, on that +return and protect his physical integrity?  Or would you participate in +some way in the operation to return home the president-elect, Edmundo +Gonzalez? This is my first one. + +And regarding the license to Chevron, at first, this administration +assured that Maduro would not have any profit from the sale of that +oil.  But on the contrary, some suspect that the license granted to +Chevron is allowing Maduro to finance the repression of innocent +people.  Does this administration plan to suspend that license before +leaving the White House?  Thank you so much. + +SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL:  Well, let me just note, in terms of the +logistics question that was asked: The United States government has not +received a request from Edmundo Gonzalez for assistance in his +transportation, and we did not participate in his departure from +Venezuela, and we were not asked to do so.  If we were to receive a +request from him, we would consider that.  But, you know, we don’t +recognize the Maduro authorities, so it’s something that, you know, +we’re not in touch with them on these types of issues.  + +And I’ll leave the rest for \[senior administration official\]. + +SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL:  Thanks.  I’ll just share that as we +review our overall sanctions policy and licensing policy towards +Venezuela, this is under constant monitoring and review, and we are +willing to calibrate and adjust as needed in order to advance U.S. +foreign policy objectives. + +MODERATOR:  Great.  We have time for one, maybe two questions if we go +through them quickly. + +We’ll go to Eric Bazail-Eimil. + +Q    Hi.  Thanks for doing this.  Eric Bazail-Eimil from Politico. + +Look, can I just get more clarity on why, at this point, the +administration is still reviewing those licenses and isn’t more actively +pursuing energy sanctions?  There’s only a month left until — about a +month, with a rounding error, for, you know, the handover to occur.  And +energy sanctions seem to be the only thing that have gotten Maduro to go +to the negotiating table in the past.  So I’m curious if you could just +explain that. + +SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL:  Sure.  Well, I think that there’s — you +know, first of all, there’s a number of things that have moved Maduro to +the negotiating table at different junctures, which includes +international pressure, their desire to seek some sort of legitimacy, +obviously a desire that is not being met, given the malfeasance that +followed the July 28th election.  + +And so, we review this policy on a comprehensive basis, both the +sanctions, of which there are still quite extensive sanctions towards +Venezuela at a sectoral level, and also, as we’re discussing today, at +an individual level, targeted at regime officials who have committed +human rights abuses.  + +But we also have a number of other aspects of our policy towards +Venezuela which are critical to our overall shaping of this policy.  + +And so, this is something that we’re going to continue to look at very +carefully, both with respect to U.S. foreign policy interests and in +consultation with a wider set of partners and allies. + +SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL:  I would just add that just because we +have not taken an action so far, does not mean that we will not take an +action in the future — though, obviously, as we said many times, we do +not preview our sanctions decisions. + +MODERATOR:  Great.  And with that, we’ll go with one last question.  +We’ll go to Regina Garcia Cano.  Please state your outlet.  + +Q    Hi there.  Thank you for doing this.  I have a follow-up on that, +on licenses.  + +The opposition advisors to Maria Corina Machado and Edmundo Gonzalez +have openly said that they would like to see particularly the Chevron +license canceled, and I’m sure they’ve expressed that to you directly.  + +The explanation for that license, at least in writing, when it was +issued was all about democracy and getting to have a more free and fair +election.  We already saw what happened on July 28th.  + +So with those 45 days left between now and January 10th, when the next +presidential term starts in Venezuela, you say you’re still reviewing +and that you haven’t taken it doesn’t mean that you won’t take it in the +future.  But why — you know, if it was based in the idea of democracy, +why is that still in place?  That was, at least in writing, the argument +for this. + +SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL:  As we said previously, we are +continually reviewing our sanctions policy to achieve U.S. foreign +policy objectives. + +MODERATOR:  Great.  Thank you.  That’s all the time we have for today.  +Thanks again for joining us. + +Again, the call was embargoed until — it is embargoed until 10:30 a.m. +Eastern Time, and it is attributable to senior administration +officials.  We will have a transcript also on our WhiteHouse.gov website +later this afternoon. + +Thanks again, and happy holidays. + +9:53 A.M. EST           diff --git a/rss.xml b/rss.xml index f554e8d2..74162e14 100644 --- a/rss.xml +++ b/rss.xml @@ -8,11 +8,45 @@ The White House Briefing Room - Wed, 27 Nov 2024 15:16:01 -0500 + Wed, 27 Nov 2024 16:26:19 -0500 https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/ + + + Background Press Call on Venezuela + + + https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/press-briefings/2024/11/27/background-press-call-on-venezuela/ + + + Wed, 27 Nov 2024 16:26:19 -0500 + + + https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/press-briefings/2024/11/27/background-press-call-on-venezuela/ + + + press-briefings + + + + + A Proclamation on Thanksgiving Day, 2024 + + + https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2024/11/27/a-proclamation-on-thanksgiving-day-2024/ + + + Wed, 27 Nov 2024 15:44:53 -0500 + + + https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2024/11/27/a-proclamation-on-thanksgiving-day-2024/ + + + presidential-actions + + President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Approves Puerto Rico Major Disaster Declaration @@ -489,39 +523,5 @@ statements-releases </category> </item> - <item> - <title> - FACT SHEET: Delivering for the International Development Association - - - https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/11/21/fact-sheet-delivering-for-the-international-development-association/ - - - Thu, 21 Nov 2024 19:55:24 -0500 - - - https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/11/21/fact-sheet-delivering-for-the-international-development-association/ - - - statements-releases - - - - - Remarks by President Biden Honoring the 2024 NBA Champions, the Boston Celtics - - - https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/speeches-remarks/2024/11/21/remarks-by-president-biden-honoring-the-2024-nba-champions-the-boston-celtics/ - - - Thu, 21 Nov 2024 19:08:00 -0500 - - - https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/speeches-remarks/2024/11/21/remarks-by-president-biden-honoring-the-2024-nba-champions-the-boston-celtics/ - - - speeches-remarks - -