Thank you, Madam Chair.
Thank you to the witnesses for their testimony.
My first question is a very simple one. Many within the international community are anticipating a leadership transition. It could be bloody or it could be non-violent. We hope it's non-violent, but either way Venezuela looks ripe for change. One certainly hopes it's ripe for change, because I think the Maduro regime has abused its authority and usurped its power, if I can put it that way.
Leaving that aside, what would any such change in Venezuela, from one regime to a new government, mean for journalists, their safety and their ability to carry out their work? In other words, might they get caught up in possible violence if that does take place? As we're seeing with recent reports emerging in the past few days, that outcome is likely, I fear.