State Department Holds Press Briefing As Anti-Maduro Protests Erupt In Venezuela
State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel holds a press briefing.
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NewsTranscript
00:00Happy Tuesday. I don't have anything off the top.
00:07You want to kick us off?
00:10Blast was heard in Beirut just a few minutes ago and a security source has said the strike was targeting a senior Hezbollah commander.
00:17Was this an Israeli strike as far as you're aware?
00:19No, I don't have any updates on any specific activity that we're seeing.
00:25On this specific incident, I would have to refer you to partners in the region to speak to.
00:30Has Israel been in touch with you prior to this about any potential upcoming strike?
00:35We have been in continuous discussions with Israeli and Lebanese counterparts since the incident over the weekend.
00:41The United States is going to continue to support efforts to reach a diplomatic solution along the blue line.
00:47Our hope is we'll end these terrible attacks and again allow Israeli and Lebanese citizens on both sides of the border to safely return home.
00:55That's going to continue to remain our focus and goal.
00:58Have they given you any warning that they would strike Beirut if this is an Israeli strike?
01:02I'm just not going to get into specific diplomatic discussions and I'll leave it to Israelis to speak to any planning or response that they may have in the works.
01:11We had reported that the U.S. was urging Israel not to strike Beirut.
01:15Do you feel that this could escalate tensions if this is an Israeli strike and are you concerned about the repercussions?
01:21So I'm going to echo a little bit what I said yesterday, which is that our support for Israel's security is ironclad and it's unwavering,
01:28especially as it defends itself against Iran-backed threats, including threats from Hezbollah.
01:35No nation could be expected to tolerate the kinds of threats that Israel is facing and continues to face.
01:42But at the same time, and you heard Admiral Kirby say this yesterday as well as myself,
01:47that we do not believe that all-out war is inevitable and we still believe that it can be avoided.
01:53And we're continuing to work towards a diplomatic resolution that would allow Israeli and Lebanese civilians to return to their homes and live in peace and security.
02:02We certainly want to avoid any kind of escalation and that is exactly why we continue to remain so deeply focused on diplomacy.
02:11Jenny, go ahead.
02:12Is the U.S. prepared to back Israel if it does devolve into a full-fledged war?
02:17I'm just not going to get into hypotheticals beyond saying that our commitment to Israel's security is ironclad and unwavering
02:24and the threat that Israel faces from Hezbollah is very real, as real as the events that we saw unfold this weekend.
02:32But our focus continues to be on diplomacy. We continue to believe that diplomacy is the best path forward.
02:39We think that is the best way right now to calm tensions along the blue line
02:44and to create conditions that will allow civilians to return home. That's our focus.
02:48Is it still your assessment that both sides do not want to see this devolve into a full-fledged conflict?
02:52I'm not going to speak for the other entities. It's certainly the United States' perspective and point of view.
02:59Like I said, and you saw the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of State speak to this a little bit on their travels,
03:06we do not believe that an all-out war is inevitable, and we believe that it can be avoided,
03:12and that's exactly why we're remaining focused on diplomacy.
03:16And I want to follow up on my question from yesterday on AMCIS who are in Lebanon.
03:20Are there any changes in potential evacuation for these folks, any outreach to them to see if they need assistance, anything like that?
03:27No change in posture to report, Jenny.
03:29Again, our travel advisory warning for the totality of the country continues to be at a level three,
03:34with southern Lebanon being at a level four.
03:37There are a number of steps that American citizens can take.
03:40They can enroll in Smart Traveler to stay in touch with our American Citizen Services team and the consular team there.
03:48They can also take a look at what commercial options may exist for their safe departure.
03:53Commercial options are still available, and they continue to be the best way for those who currently may be interested in leaving the region.
04:01But beyond that, we are constantly assessing safety and security circumstances on the ground,
04:06and we will certainly update those whenever that is prudent and appropriate
04:11and will appropriately be in touch with American citizens when we need to.
04:16Okay, I'll follow on this.
04:17Does this department believe that the Israeli Government would agree to a ceasefire deal in Gaza
04:22while engaging in kinetic activity in northern Lebanon?
04:25I'm just not going to speculate or speculate the sequencing as it relates to these kinds of things.
04:33First and foremost, as it relates to a ceasefire in Gaza, you heard me talk a little bit about this yesterday.
04:39We think that it can unlock a lot of things.
04:42First and foremost, create conditions for the remaining hostages, including Americans, to be returned home,
04:48create conditions for the influx of additional humanitarian aid to address the situation in Gaza.
04:54It also can create the conditions for broader diplomacy to take place to get this region out of the endless cycle of violence.
05:01We also believe that a ceasefire and a hostage deal in Gaza can accelerate the possibility of progress,
05:08including lasting security and calm along the Israeli-Lebanese border,
05:12and that's why we're going to continue to remain focused on that.
05:15But I just don't want to speculate on sequencing, and I certainly don't want to speak for other countries.
05:20Sure, it's less speculation.
05:22I mean, the Secretary's readout with the Egyptian foreign minister stressed the same,
05:25that a ceasefire agreement can lead to a diplomatic resolution in northern Lebanon.
05:29Absolutely.
05:30But what I'm asking is whether you've had an indication from the Israelis that that is in the realm of possibility
05:37or whether they believe that it is important first to retaliate fully against Hezbollah
05:42before they consider making a deal with him off.
05:44Look, I'm not going to speak for other countries and actors in the region.
05:49I'm not a spokesperson for them.
05:51All I can say is that from the United States perspective, we think that diplomacy is the best path forward here.
05:58We are focused on that, engaging with officials in Israel and Lebanese officials
06:03on reaching a diplomatic solution along the blue line.
06:06Most important to us is creating the conditions so civilians can return home.
06:11And simultaneously, we're continuing to pursue every effort as it relates to a ceasefire and hostage deal in Gaza,
06:17because not only is that beneficial for Gaza and Israel in the immediate sense,
06:22but also we believe that it has potential in the north as well.
06:26You've already mentioned today the U.S.'s ironclad commitment to Israel's defense.
06:30Secretary Austin, speaking overseas, said pretty much the same.
06:33Yeah.
06:34Has Israel specifically requested through State Department channels a sort of unconditional commitment to assist?
06:39Should it struggle militarily against – in the second front?
06:42Well, our commitment to no country is ever unconditional.
06:47Let's remember that.
06:49But first and foremost, our commitment to Israel's security is ironclad.
06:53It's ironclad in the context of any threat that it faces from the Iranian regime itself or malign proxy groups like Hezbollah.
07:03We, of course, and we've spent a lot of time in this free room talking about it,
07:07have a robust, longstanding security relationship with the Government of Israel,
07:12and we continue to support them in their efforts to defend themselves,
07:17whether that be defending themselves from the Hamas terrorist actors
07:22who undertook the horrific October 7th terrorist attacks or other malign groups like Hezbollah
07:28or even from the Iranian regime directly, as we saw in April.
07:33I don't want to wordsmith or nitpick, but you said ironclad but not unconditional.
07:37Can you explain a little bit what that means?
07:39Well, the point that I'm making is that we, of course,
07:42when it comes to any country in which we have a security relationship with,
07:45we, of course, expect that the provision of U.S. defense articles,
07:50the provision of U.S. security articles are utilized and consistent with appropriate not just humanitarian law
07:56but U.S. law through the various levers that exist when it comes to how American articles should be used.
08:03We've spent a lot of time in the briefing room talking about that.
08:05That's what I was referring to.
08:07So needless to say, you would understand that the Israelis understand that there would be conditions
08:10applied to whatever assistance the U.S. is providing militarily should a second front come up?
08:15The point that I'm saying is that there is no that.
08:18Let's take a step back.
08:20What I'm talking about is when it comes to our security relationship in any context with any country,
08:24there, of course, there is the expectation that U.S. articles are used consistent with U.S. law.
08:30That is true in any circumstance and scenario.
08:33It's true in Israel.
08:35It was true as it relates to our security relationship with Israel prior to October 7th.
08:39It was true after, and it will continue to be true with Israel
08:42and with any other country that we have a security relationship with.
08:45Okay, and last one.
08:46Can you provide any material update as to the status of the ceasefire talks on Gaza?
08:50I don't have any updates to offer for, again, the reasons that I outlined yesterday.
08:54It's unhelpful to read chapter and verse about the ongoing negotiation efforts.
08:59It certainly would be unhelpful to discuss and litigate these things publicly,
09:03but what I will leave it at is what I said, that we believe that a ceasefire deal can unlock a great deal,
09:09the hostages returning home, humanitarian aid into Gaza,
09:14as well as greater diplomacy for the region to get us out of this endless cycle of violence,
09:18and that continues to be the case.
09:20Julian.
09:21I was just going to go down a line.
09:23I'm happy to go to Said and come back.
09:25May I ask an Iran question?
09:27I think Said wants to stay on the region, but I promise I'll come back.
09:29How about that?
09:30Does that work?
09:31That's good.
09:32Good.
09:33Go ahead, Said.
09:34Yeah, let me just – a couple of things I'm trying to understand here.
09:36You keep referring to Israel's right to defend itself, and the groups like Hezbollah and others,
09:40Ismailan groups, Afraksi groups, and so on.
09:43Don't you think you strip the people of the region of their right to fight for their occupied territories?
09:50After all, Israel occupies parts of Lebanon, occupies the Golan Heights.
09:54That is an occupied Syrian territory.
09:56Occupies the West Bank.
09:57Indeed, occupies Gaza.
09:59You keep saying that Israel has the right to defend itself.
10:02What about the people of the region that have suffered for, what, decades now,
10:06maybe close to 60 years under occupation?
10:08Do they have a right to freedom, the right to defend a military occupation?
10:12Let's unpack that for a second, Said.
10:15What we're talking about – let's just use Hamas, for example.
10:19Right.
10:20Is a – we're talking about a terrorist group, a terrorist group that has time and time and time and time again
10:26made clear that integral to their mission statement is the destruction of the State of Israel.
10:32They have said, not hyperbole, that if they are able to,
10:36they would repeat October 7th over and over and over again if they can.
10:42And so just let me be very clear about this.
10:44When we talk about the Palestinian people,
10:46when we talk about what is in the best interest of the Palestinian people,
10:49actions that we think that are reflective of the will of the Palestinian people,
10:54I do not believe, this administration does not believe, this secretary, this president does not believe
10:59that Hamas is acting in the will, in the interest of the Palestinian people.
11:05Do – if you – is the question do the Palestinian people deserve equal measures of dignity and justice?
11:12Absolutely.
11:13That is exactly why we have so fervently championed a two-state solution,
11:18one that would give equal measures of dignity and justice to the Palestinian people,
11:22one that would give the Palestinian people their own state next to an Israeli state as well.
11:29So that's what we're talking about, Said.
11:31Okay.
11:32I do not believe, and this administration does not believe,
11:34that these terrorist groups are acting in the interest of whether it be the Palestinian people
11:40or the Lebanese people in the context of Hezbollah either.
11:45So do you believe that the Palestinians have an equal measure to live free of military occupation?
11:51Of course we do, Said, and that is exactly why we have so strongly and fervently talked about
11:57the need for a two-state solution because there is a need for equal measures of dignity and justice
12:03for Israelis and Palestinians alike.
12:05And when we have seen action, Said, when we have seen action that is inconsistent with that,
12:09whether that be in Gaza, whether that be in the West Bank or elsewhere,
12:13we have drawn attention to it and will continue to do so.
12:17But this administration does not believe that terrorist groups like Hamas or Hezbollah
12:22are acting in the interest of the Palestinian or the Lebanese people, respectively.
12:27Go ahead.
12:28Okay.
12:29Let me ask you about the Israeli police detained soldiers yesterday,
12:34or the day before yesterday, suspected of raping a Palestinian, sparking protests and so on.
12:40Apparently, rape and killing and torture and all this thing happens regularly in Israeli detention camps.
12:47Does that constitute a war crime to you?
12:49So the reports of abuse are deeply concerning, and we have been clear and consistent with Israel and the IDF
12:56that they need to treat all detainees humanely and with dignity in accordance with humanitarian law.
13:02We also – I spoke a little bit about this earlier in the week, Said.
13:05We reiterate the support that an IDF – that the IDF is investigating some of these allegations of serious abuse
13:13of Palestinian detainees, and that is news that we welcome.
13:17And we're going to let that process, and we believe in due process, and we're going to let that process play out.
13:21Two quick points.
13:22Now, if proven to be true, that does constitute a war crime, doesn't it?
13:27I'm not a legal expert, Said.
13:29It certainly – I imagine it would be inconsistent with Israeli law.
13:34And so, of course, that is why we are – we have been clear that the treatment of any detainee
13:42needs to be consistent with international humanitarian law.
13:45Okay.
13:46The UN is reporting that 86 percent of Gazans are now being evacuated or under evacuation orders.
13:55Is that in any way sort of – is there a disaster looming in the next few days, few weeks, and so on,
14:04as far as the humanitarian situation is concerned?
14:06Said, we've been pretty clear about the fact that the humanitarian circumstances in Gaza are incredibly dire,
14:13and that continues to be the case today.
14:16And that's exactly why we are pushing so strongly for a ceasefire deal to get across the finish line,
14:22because among the many things that it can unlock is an influx of humanitarian aid into Gaza.
14:27We also – you've heard us talk about this before – we are opposed to the forced displacement of Palestinian civilians,
14:35and it's crucial that sufficient aid reaches civilian populations in need.
14:40Wherever they seek shelter, especially the recently displaced.
14:44We also believe, though, Said, that it is – Israel has every right to defend itself
14:49and conduct certain military operations, and if part of that operation they feel the need,
14:56that they need to make sure that certain areas or regions or neighborhoods are evacuated of civilians,
15:02that's certainly their prerogative to conduct that operation in that way.
15:07It is, of course, important, though, that these efforts are fully compliant with international humanitarian law,
15:14especially as it relates to protecting civilians.
15:17And certain efforts can be made, like enabling safe civilian evacuations before these operations start,
15:23providing clear evacuation information in multiple formats.
15:27So these are things we're going to continue to stress and highlight with our partners in the IDF.
15:31Just a quick follow-up on Libya's question regarding the talks now, the ongoing negotiations.
15:37So are there any renewed efforts or maybe new ideas, or is the United States providing new incentives,
15:45whatever it is, to get these negotiations to their goal line?
15:49I'm just not going to speak to the specifics of the process, Said.
15:53That would be unhelpful to it.
15:55I will leave it at, again, we are working tirelessly for a ceasefire deal to happen.
16:00We think it can unlock a great deal for the region, and we'll continue to work these efforts around the clock.
16:08Go ahead.
16:09Thank you, Vedat.
16:10Has there been any direct contact between Secretary Blinken or President Biden
16:13or anyone else in the Administration with Lebanon's Prime Minister Najib Mikati
16:19about containing or stopping Hezbollah?
16:22And a couple of follow-ups.
16:23So I spoke to this a little bit when answering some of the questions at the beginning,
16:27that we continue to be in close touch with officials in Israel and Lebanon
16:32and wanting to ensure that we create the conditions so that civilians can return safely to their homes on both sides of the border.
16:41Okay.
16:42Will there be any sanctions on Lebanon for allowing attacks against Israel,
16:47or will there be any new sanctions against Iran and Syria to stop them from arming and funding Hezbollah?
16:54So I'm not going to preview any actions from up here.
16:56You know that we don't do that.
16:58But when it comes to any kind of malign actors participating in reckless destabilizing behavior,
17:05we certainly have every right to take appropriate action.
17:08Daphne, go ahead.
17:09The Israeli military has said it carried out the strike in Beirut in retaliation for the attack on Golan Heights.
17:15Do you have any reaction to Israel carrying out the strike?
17:18This clearly just happened, so I don't have any comment to offer.
17:22I'm happy to check with the team if we've got anything more to offer at a later point.
17:26And are you concerned that an Israeli strike on Beirut will escalate tensions?
17:30Look, Israel has every right to defend itself,
17:33certainly for the things that we just talked about from malign Iran-backed proxies like Hezbollah.
17:40And it certainly faces threats like no other country does, especially in that region of the world.
17:46We, of course, want to make sure that through our diplomacy conditions can be created in which civilians can return home,
17:53but I just don't have any other updates on this beyond that.
17:56Sorry, do you feel that Israel has disregarded your warnings about striking Beirut?
18:01I'm just not going to get into the specifics of our diplomatic conversations.
18:05Gita, go ahead.
18:06Speaking of Iran, their new president is now officially in office.
18:11In his inaugural speech, he said that – first of all, he called the sanctions against the Islamic Republic as unjust,
18:19and then he said that he wants to improve on the country's economic relations with the world now in view of the U.S. sanctions.
18:29Do you think he's going to be able to live up to his –
18:33Well, Gita, I appreciate you asking that question,
18:37because what the United States thinks is unjust is the Iranian regime's treatment of women and girls.
18:44What we think is unjust is the Iranian regime's treatment and its basic disregard for basic and essential and vital human rights.
18:54What we think is unjust is the way that over the past two years that I've just been in this job,
19:03we have seen this Iranian regime crack down time and time and time again on just basic protests,
19:09basic people making their voices heard, expressing their opinions about actions that this Iranian regime were undertaking.
19:17Those are the true unjustices that the Iranian people are facing.
19:22It is the ones that are inflicted by the Iranian regime in itself on its own people.
19:28So, look, you heard me talk a little bit about this yesterday.
19:32We are going to judge the Iranian regime on the actions that it takes, not any empty words.
19:38If it is interested in being a member and party to the international world order,
19:45it needs to begin by respecting and abiding by the international world order.
19:51That could be a start.
19:53So beyond that, we are just going to judge the Iranian regime by the actions that it takes.
19:58Can you expound on the international world order that you expect Iran to live up to?
20:03Gita, it should be no surprise to you.
20:06We've spent a lot of time in this briefing room talking about it.
20:10Iran is the biggest exporter of terrorism since 1979.
20:17It has a track record of participating in destabilizing malign activities, funding proxy groups.
20:26It has a disregard for basic fundamentals of democracy, basic fundamentals of human rights.
20:34These are all things that are what we would expect from countries who are participating
20:40and contributing members of the international world order.
20:43Michel.
20:44Yeah, if you don't – on Sudan, do you – did you receive any response from the SAF?
20:49And do you expect the talks to be held in Switzerland on time?
20:54I don't have any updates for you, Michel.
20:56We are continuing to be in active communication with the SAF and the RSF on the invitation
21:02to attend the ceasefire negotiations in Switzerland, but we have no updates beyond that.
21:08Alex, go ahead.
21:09I'm giving what you just said about Iran.
21:11Any update for us on – in terms of implementation of the MASA Act?
21:14Have you guys provided this report to the Congress?
21:17I have no updates for you on that, Alex.
21:19Moving to Ukraine.
21:20Yeah.
21:21The Secretary released another package of military aid, which is appreciated.
21:25We heard from Ukrainian leadership about that.
21:27But it also comes along – it comes with a frustration that Ukrainians are still not
21:31allowed to strike back deep inside Russia where the attacks are coming from.
21:36Any update on that for us?
21:37So I have no operational updates to offer, Alex.
21:41I would echo what you've heard the Secretary and others say time and time again, that over
21:46the course of this conflict, we have our – the ways in which we are able to support
21:52and enable our partners in Ukraine to defend themselves, to defend their territorial integrity
21:58and sovereignty has changed.
22:00I don't have any updates to offer beyond that.
22:04You've seen the President and the Secretary talk about the ability to strike immediately
22:08over the border at targets immediately past the border that could be of direct harm, and
22:14that continues to be the case, but I don't have any updates beyond that.
22:18And what is your understanding of where things stand on the battlefield at this point?
22:22Look, Alex, it's a tough and dynamic fight, but Ukraine has successfully defended itself
22:28since 2022, and it has taken back more than 40 percent of the territory that's been seized
22:34by Russia.
22:35And we are going to continue to play the role that the United States has been, and we're
22:38going to help defend itself from this kind of Russian aggression.
22:43Go ahead.
22:44Go ahead.
22:45Go ahead.
22:46Go ahead.
22:47Go ahead.
22:48Go ahead.
22:49Go ahead.
22:50Go ahead.
22:51Go ahead.
22:52Go ahead.
22:53Go ahead.
22:54Go ahead.
22:55Go ahead.
22:56Go ahead.
22:57Go ahead.
22:58Go ahead.
22:59Go ahead.
23:00Go ahead.
23:01Go ahead.
23:02Go ahead.
23:03Go ahead.
23:04Go ahead.
23:05Go ahead.
23:06Go ahead.
23:07Go ahead.
23:08Go ahead.
23:09Go ahead.
23:10Go ahead.
23:11Go ahead.
23:12Thank you very much.
23:13The concerns that we had about this legislation continue to be very real and
23:16they continue to be very serious.
23:17This is, frankly, legislation that looks like it's right out of the Kremlin's playbook,
23:23a targeting of humanitarian organizations, NGO's, human rights defenders, journalists,
23:30and so this is something we'll certainly be paying close attention to, but I don't have
23:33any updates beyond that.
23:35Another country has been ignoring your human rights calls.
23:37Azerbaijan. Last week Matt Post tweeted about the case of Gubad Ibadoglu, and not only they're
23:43not letting him go, they also keep arresting other civil society leaders, former diplomats,
23:49minority leaders. Any concern on your end that they've been ignoring your messaging?
23:54Have you been using all the tools available in your toolkit to move the needle on that
23:58front?
23:59MR RATHKE We're going to continue to remain focused on the diplomacy. Alex, I don't have
24:02any updates to offer on things that the United States may be considering otherwise.
24:06Go ahead.
24:07Q Thank you. On Venezuela, you said you're waiting for data to be published. The Venezuelan
24:12National Electoral Council is still saying Maduro has won the election and secured another
24:17term in office. So if they won't publish the data you requested, would you eventually be
24:23recognizing the results and maybe even congratulate Maduro?
24:26MR RATHKE So I'm not going to get ahead of this process. Maduro and his representatives
24:31declared themselves the winner of what we believe is a national election that was undermined
24:37by anti-democratic actions, political repression, and electoral manipulation. The Secretary
24:43was very clear about this over yesterday. The international community is watching and
24:49will respond accordingly. The best path forward is for a clear publication of the tabulation
24:56data. That is what is owed to the election observers. That's what's owed to the opposition.
25:01And we'll take this process one step at a time.
25:03Q And how long would you be waiting for that?
25:05MR RATHKE I'm not going to put a timeline on anything. It is very clear what the path
25:11forward here should be. We have, and other countries in the region, mind you, have very
25:16clearly laid out that they are interested in seeing this tabulation data, as is the
25:20United States. That is the best way to resolve this peacefully, is seeing that information.
25:26And so we'll be continuing to monitor these conditions quite closely.
25:31Q Thank you.
25:32MR RATHKE Can I go to –
25:33Q She was lost.
25:34MR RATHKE Oh, okay. Let me go to Said. I'll come back to you. Go ahead.
25:38Q Look, Venezuela has been under severe sanctions since 2019. They can't feed their people.
25:44They cannot fix the oil facilities. They cannot export and so on. Is that a sound policy?
25:50I mean, they tried to impose – the U.S. tried to help in imposing another president
25:56and so on, Guaido, and all that stuff. And how long will these sanctions go on? I mean,
26:03it's – generally speaking, are sanctions a good policy? I mean, one-third of the world
26:08today is under American sanctions.
26:09MR RATHKE That's right. The foreign policy decisions that this Administration will take,
26:17especially as it relates to Venezuela, they are going to be assessed based on the actions
26:23that Maduro and his representatives take, as well as our relationship with any other
26:29country as well. That's how we assess the foreign policy tools that are at our disposal.
26:33Shannon.
26:34Q So on sanctions, the Biden Administration has actually eased some of the oil industry
26:37restrictions in the past couple months as they've tried to move Venezuela towards
26:42holding an election. Now, officials have also said that reimposing some of those restrictions
26:47on energy companies is not something that's under consideration. Is there a reason that
26:52it's not under consideration?
26:53MR RATHKE So I'm just not going to get into the deliberative process. What I can say is
26:57that as it relates to Venezuela and the Maduro regime, we will continue to promote accountability
27:04for Maduro and his representatives, so as long as they continue repressing Venezuelans.
27:09And whatever actions the United States may or may not take, we will assess our sanctions
27:14policy towards Venezuela, again, based on the actions that Mr. Maduro and his representatives
27:21take, and that's what it will be rooted on. But I'm not going to get into the process
27:24beyond that.
27:25Q So Maduro has also recalled diplomatic personnel from seven countries in Latin America, including
27:31Panama, Argentina. He's also asked those countries to have their foreign ministries recall their
27:36personnel. Do you have concern – members of the opposition have been sheltering in
27:41the Argentinian embassy for several months. Are you concerned about those officials at
27:46this point, that they could be arrested given there are warrants out for them?
27:50MR RATHKE Well, certainly it is a circumstance that – in which we are concerned about and
27:55we are paying close attention to. It is telling, though, that Maduro is breaking diplomatic
28:02relations with fellow Latin American countries who, like the United States, have simply asked
28:08for transparency, and it's something that those countries in the international community
28:12are looking for. And I think it demonstrates the Maduro regime's intolerance for dissent
28:18and a lack of commitment to the basic democratic principles that other regional governments
28:23are not just sharing and defending. And that is why, from the onset of this, since yesterday,
28:30we have said that election observers, the opposition, the international community are
28:36– they are owed a clear tabulation data of what exactly happened here, and that is
28:41the best way to determine the path forward.
28:44Go ahead.
28:45QUESTION Thank you very much. Top U.S. officials are in Saudi Arabia for talks regarding the
28:51Houthis as an emerging threat as the Israel-Lebanon crisis is also emerging. So the question is,
29:00last week you have seen that Saudi Arabia distanced itself from any type of, like, airspace
29:05or something like to join U.S. coalition against the Yemenis because they have already a truce
29:10with the Yemenis from December. So this time, what is U.S. stance with the Saudis? U.S.
29:17is willing to break Saudi Arabia and Yemen truce, and anything like that from the Saudi
29:23Arabia to join U.S. coalition against the Yemenis?
29:26MR RATHKE Well, certainly this is something the United States has played a role in previously.
29:30I don't have any senior official travel to share or read out, but maintaining calm between
29:39Saudi Arabia and Yemen continues to be a priority for us, but I don't have any other specifics
29:44for you beyond that.
29:45QUESTION Secondly, just one more.
29:46MR RATHKE Yeah.
29:47QUESTION Israel blames during its address at U.S. Congress said that all the protesters
29:53who are protesting outside of the parliament, they are Iranian-funded, Iranian-backed. U.S.
29:59have very clear position. Every right is given at this day and to the peaceful protesters.
30:05So from the U.S. parliament, this statement, State Department will own this, endorse this,
30:10reject this, condemn it, or just distance us?
30:12MR RATHKE So Matt Miller spoke a little bit about this
30:16last week, and so I'm just going to refer you back to his comments when he spoke about
30:20this.
30:21Yeah.
30:22Daphne, go ahead.
30:23QUESTION Just a few questions on Africa.
30:24MR RATHKE Sure.
30:25QUESTION Thanks. So The Guardian is reporting that Ukraine's military intelligence has claimed
30:29it was involved in an ambush that killed Wagner group fighters in Mali. Is this something
30:34you're tracking, and would you have any concerns with Ukraine aligning itself with rebels in
30:38Mali?
30:39MR RATHKE So look, I don't have any specific reaction
30:42to this news, but let me just say that Russia's war against Ukraine is hurting Africans. It's
30:49rising food and commodity prices, and it's having a disproportionate impact on African
30:53countries. And the U.S. has seen Russia, including through Kremlin-backed Wagner groups and other
31:00entities, exploit insecurity on the African continent as a catalyst to expand its destabilizing
31:06presence on the African continent. So this is something that we are incredibly concerned
31:11about and will pay close attention to, but I don't have any other actions to preview.
31:14QUESTION Okay. And then on Rwanda, President Kagame is required to step down in 2034 under
31:19the current constitution, but a government spokesperson today spoke with reporters and
31:24did not rule out that the government would seek to change the constitution, as was done
31:28in 2015. They said that Rwandan officials are due to meet with State Department officials
31:33this week. Do you plan to discuss this in your meetings?
31:35MR RATHKE I have no doubt that it is one of the topics
31:39that will be discussed. I don't want to get ahead of the meeting, though. The United States
31:43is ready to continue to stand with – to support the Rwandan people in efforts to
31:50strengthen democratic institutions, protect human rights, that we believe in turn will
31:54promote long-term stability and economic prosperity as well.
31:57QUESTION And Kagame was reelected with 99.18 percent of the vote, according to the Electoral
32:03Commission a couple weeks ago, and election rights groups have said it was marred by crackdown
32:09on journalists, the opposition, and civil society groups. Does the State Department
32:12have concerns about how that election was conducted, and are you going to raise this?
32:17MR RATHKE So we did note when this happened that the
32:19elections were peaceful and that political parties were allowed to register and were
32:24able to campaign largely without any impediments, but we continue to remain concerned about
32:29the restrictive environment, especially as it relates to respect to freedoms of expression,
32:34association, and peaceful assembly. That, we believe, undermines the competitiveness
32:39and fairness of any democratic process in Rwanda.
32:42All right. Thanks, everybody.