00:00Why is she leaving? I'm going to answer her questions.
00:02I will...
00:04Oh, okay, I got it. Well, thank you for coming.
00:07Five months ago, you essentially became the new overlord of Venezuela,
00:13taking control of the country's oil revenues and giving foreign companies access to its oil and minerals.
00:19But you have provided no real transparency about where the money is going
00:24and who is benefiting from this arrangement.
00:28I want to now talk a little bit about Mauricio Clavercarron.
00:34So, Mr. Secretary, you've known Mr. Clavercarron for many years, correct?
00:39I don't know how many years, but sure.
00:41Okay. We know that he was special envoy to Latin America.
00:44He's also a former lobbyist who supported your presidential campaign, I think, in 2016.
00:50And now he runs a private equity firm that is seeking $1 billion in investments in Latin America.
00:58Apparently, he is seen as your right-hand man on Venezuela.
01:03But he's not a federal employee, and he's not bound by rules about financial disclosures or conflict of interest.
01:10According to the Washington Post, he acts like a kingmaker in Venezuela,
01:16helping to determine which private companies get contracts and access.
01:20And that's concerning because in January, you gave confidential licenses for Venezuelan oil
01:27to a company that had been charged with bribery by the Department of Justice
01:33and employs a trader who gave $6 million to Trump's campaign.
01:38Some have said that Mauricio is the Jared Kushner of Latin America,
01:42but Mauricio has said that Jared Kushner is the Mauricio of the Middle East.
01:48So who is Mauricio, and why is he riding on private jets to Caracas
01:53with executives from firms trying to get contracts?
01:56And why is he texting Delcy Rodriguez on the regular?
02:00Who is he working for?
02:03I'm going to allow you to respond.
02:05I'm setting this up because it looks unseemly that essentially you are taking Venezuelan oil money
02:12and sending it through a network of campaign donors, corrupt politicians, and lobbyists,
02:18and we can't get any documentation on that.
02:20We don't have any receipts.
02:23So the question is, is anyone from the administration, directly or indirectly,
02:27benefiting from the contracts being doled out in Venezuela?
02:31Is this where I get to answer?
02:33Yes.
02:33Okay, perfect.
02:34Number one is the number of people.
02:36Mauricio is one of many people that are involved in what's happening in Venezuela.
02:39There's not a day that goes by that we don't have someone who's interested in what's happening in Venezuela
02:42for a variety of reasons.
02:44Nor is he the only person in the United States that directly contacts Delcy Rodriguez and others.
02:48There is a stampede of people that want to be involved in Venezuela.
02:51Mauricio is one of many, but by the way, not involved in Venezuela.
02:54I am not knowledgeable or know of any financial links he has to anybody in Venezuela.
02:58So I'm going to reclaim my time, Mr. Secretary, but I'm glad that you said that
03:02because you have said these things.
03:05You have shared these talking points before.
03:07They're not talking points.
03:07But it is hard to take your word for it when this is the most corrupt administration in American history.
03:14We're talking pardons for sale.
03:16We're talking about no-bid contracts to those on Trump's family and friends plan.
03:20We're talking about a $1.8 billion slush fund.
03:23And I think that's corruption.
03:26The American people think that's corruption.
03:28They want to know if you think that's corruption.
03:32Okay.
03:32Number two, this goes right to the point of transparency.
03:35You're absolutely wrong about the way the money flows.
03:37It's pretty straightforward.
03:38And I'll share it.
03:39So I'm going to have to reclaim my time again because the question about corruption,
03:43they get to ask questions and you don't get to answer?
03:45It's my time.
03:46The question about corruption is really important.
03:48So why am I here if I don't get to answer your questions or your defamatory statements?
03:52I'm reclaiming my time, Mr. Chair.
03:53But I want to reclaim.
03:55Well, do I get time?
03:55Because you make these defamatory statements and no one can talk here.
03:58This is crazy.
03:59If you can't call out corruption in this country, then how can you call it out in another country?
04:04Well, I can't say anything because you won't let me speak.
04:06That is the question.
04:06It is about credibility and your credibility.
04:09And your credibility meter is on empty right now.
04:12This oil.
04:13These guys just get to talk and I don't get to answer.
04:15Who determines the barrels of oil that get sold?
04:17How many of them?
04:18But you won't let me answer your question.
04:19I have an answer for your question.
04:20Where is it going?
04:21Oh, I get it.
04:21They have to give their time for me to answer your question.
04:23The onus is on you to prove that there is no corruption happening.
04:27Well, how do I prove it if you don't let me talk?
04:29That is your responsibility as the Secretary of State.
04:30And you know what?
04:31Normally, we would have access to that data.
04:33That's the transparency.
04:34You do.
04:34You just don't know where to look.
04:35But you're not showing us any receipts.
04:36Well, then show us.
04:37Do you commit?
04:38Do you commit to coming back here with whoever the person is who is monitoring the sales of the
04:42oil?
04:43Bring them before this committee.
04:45Can I reclaim my time?
04:46Show the receipts.
04:46Have the documentation.
04:47You don't have this time yet.
04:49I am talking about your credibility and evidence, not your talking points, because talking points
04:55are never a replacement for transparency and documentation.
04:57I agree, but that's what you're saying.
04:58You're saying talking points without an answer.
05:00We are five months into this and no audits.
05:03Zero visibility into the contracts that are awarded.
05:06100% false.
05:07Zero transparency about where the money is going.
05:09Expired Representative Salazar is recognized.
05:10And giving contracts with no transparency is exactly the reason why you shut down USAID.
05:16So practice what you preach.
05:18I yield my head.
05:19Oh, she gets to scream now, too?
05:20Chairman, can we take down her words?
05:21I'll give you some time.
05:23I'll give you some of my time.
05:24Then you just, uh...
05:26Okay.
05:27What kind of thing is this?
05:28What is this?
05:29You get asked questions for five minutes and you don't get time to answer?
05:32It's not a hearing.
05:33I think you said clown shit before.
05:34What is this?
05:35I don't have to tell you.
05:36I don't...
05:38I'll give you some time.
05:39I've even used their time.
05:39How can I answer the question?
05:40They don't even give me time.
05:42I've had to use their time to answer your questions.
05:44Yes.
05:45All right, whatever.
05:45All right, so I don't need to tell you that in my community, the city that I represent,
05:50the city of Miami, you're one of the most illustrious representatives.
05:54And that we're very proud of you, not only the Cuban Americans, but the Hispanic Americans in my community.
05:59Why is she leaving?
06:00I'm going to answer her questions.
06:01I will...
06:02I didn't hear you were a member.
06:03Oh, she's got...
06:04Okay, I got it.
06:05Well, thank you for coming.
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