Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Chairman of its subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Peace Corps, and Narcotics Affairs, today issued the following statement after President-Elect Obama announced several nominations for his national security team:

“I applaud President-Elect Obama’s nomination of an experienced national security team.  Hillary Clinton, James Jones, Robert Gates, Janet Napolitano, Eric Holder, and Susan Rice each have a proven record of pragmatic problem-solving and bipartisan cooperation on a host of complex challenges to U.S. national security. 

Latin America is experiencing a positive revolution of sorts. Petty military dictators and East-West ideological struggle are things of the past. Political inclusion has expanded massively through overwhelmingly democratic processes, and millions of South and Central Americans have new expectations of their governments. Like anywhere, democracy in the region is sometimes messy, and mistakes are sometimes made. But the change is good.

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Chairman of its Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Peace Corps, and Narcotics Affairs, released the following statement today on the Government of Ecuador opening a consulate in New Haven, CT. An estimated 50,000 Ecuadorians live in Connecticut.

Accepts Award for Work to Promote Human Rights in Latin America

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last night, Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) was honored by the Washington Office on Latin America for his work in Congress to support and strengthen human rights in Latin America.  Dodd accepted WOLA’s 2008 Human Rights Award at their annual gala, where he also addressed his vision for a strategic partnership between the United States and Latin America.

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Chairman of its Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Peace Corps, and Narcotics Affairs, took to the floor of the U.S. Senate this afternoon to offer an amendment to the Department of Defense Authorization Bill.  Dodd’s amendment, co-sponsored by Ranking Member Richard Lugar (R-IN), would temporarily ease restrictions on certain regulations in order to address the humanitarian crisis in Cuba caused by Hurricanes Gustav and Ike and Tropical Storms Fay and Hanna.

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Chairman of its Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, Peace Corps, and Narcotics Affairs, released the following statement today on the Venezuelan government’s decision to expel United States Ambassador Patrick Duddy.

Senator Chris Dodd, a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Chairman of its Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, Peace Corps, and Narcotics Affairs, released the following statement today on the Bolivian government’s decision to expel United States Ambassador Philip Goldberg.

“I condemn the Bolivian government’s decision to expel U.S. Ambassador Goldberg from La Paz.  This action is unjustified and only serves to further undermine the relationship between the United States and Bolivia.  
 
“I have urged – and continue to urge – Bolivians on all sides of current tensions to “lower the temperature” and restrain from undemocratic, destabilizing actions of any kind.  We do not condone illegal acts by either side, including the violent attacks against economic targets this week.
 
“The United States, including our Embassy in La Paz, is committed to working closely and constructively with all members of Bolivian society on stemming the illegal production and flow of narcotics and other matters of mutual interest.”

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Chairman of its Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, Peace Corps, and Narcotics Affairs, released the following statement today on the devastating storms that have swept through the Caribbean in recent days:

“My thoughts and prayers are with those throughout the Caribbean, particularly in Haiti and Cuba, whose lives have been devastated by the multiple blows of Tropical Storms Fay and Hanna and Hurricanes Gustav and Ike.  Preliminary estimates indicate that well over a million people have been evacuated and many more are without power, food or shelter.  The death toll in Haiti is already in the hundreds and is certain to rise.

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the Chairman of its Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, Peace Corps, Narcotics, made the following statement regarding the rescue of hostages being held by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, also known as the FARC:

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the Chairman of its Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, Peace Corps, and Narcotics Affairs, made the following statement tonight following passage of the Merida Initiative.

“I’m pleased that Congress was able to reach a compromise on the Merida Initiative.  I am confident that this language will be acceptable to both the American and Mexican Governments.  The United States and Mexico must continue to work together to tackle our common security challenges and reduce drug trafficking and violence on both sides of our border.  Merida offers a strong first step toward achieving those goals and I look forward to continuing to work with our Mexican counterparts to bring about closer and more robust cooperation in the future.”