Democratic Massachusetts Congress member Jim McGovern is calling on U.S. President Joe Biden to end deadly U.S. sanctions against Venezuela, suggesting they amount to collective punishment.

Washington.- McGovern, who is chair of the House Human Rights Commission, says sanctions aimed at forcing President Nicolás Maduro from power instead pushed millions of people into poverty and hunger while denying them healthcare and other basic services during the pandemic.

Speaking to reporters, congress member McGovern said: “It has resulted in needless death. It has resulted in people not getting the medical supplies that, quite frankly, could keep them alive. It has resulted in food shortages. It has resulted in a lot of suffering.” (RHC)