Venezuela installed its latest democratically elected legislators into its National Assembly on Tuesday, but U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez still has concerns about Venezuela's leadership.

While the U.S. State Department congratulated Venezuela on swearing-in 163 new lawmakers, Menendez wrote a letter to President Barack Obama on steps the U.S. should take to ensure an orderly transition in the Latin American country ruled by Nicolas Maduro. While Maduro's political party no longer holds the majority in the National Assembly, subsequent actions by his government to affect election results are "deeply troubling" for the New Jersey senator.

"I write to urge you and your administration to take immediate steps to ensure that Mr. Maduro's regime is denied the space to obstruct Venezuela's path to democratic order," wrote Menendez, senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, to Obama. "I believe you can accomplish this with a combination of close monitoring by key international organizations and meaningful, internationally-imposed penalties. This effort will, however, take American leadership, for which there is no substitute."

Menendez acknowledged Venezuela's highest court, comprising of Maduro loyalists, seek to overturn election results that may affect the opposition party's supermajority in the National Assembly. The Latino senator also noted that Maduro appointed an "unelected parallel" of the National Assembly, which has also been meeting in the same National Assembly building.

Menendez wrote of his disappointment that the U.S. State Department has yet to prioritize Maduro as a national security threat and not utilized legislation, namely the "Venezuela Defense of Human Rights and Civil Society Act" (S. 2142), to sanction Maduro's government and officials. Menendez said the U.S. has to urge international organizations, such as the Organization of American States, to monitor the National Assembly's transition. The U.S., however, must lead the international community that Maduro faces "meaningful and material consequences" if there's failure to comply with election results, according to Menendez.

"Mr. Maduro's party has lost its mandate and its legitimacy. The United States should state that publicly, unequivocally, and unapologetically," said Menendez.

Referring to Venezuela as a "failed state in the waiting," Menendez said the international community has for "too long" avoided events in Venezuela that could spark widespread civil unrest.

"It's only American leadership that will spark the meaningful international reaction that could reverse Venezuela's profound political, economic, and social problems. Let's demonstrate our support for a peaceful democratic transition before it's too late," Menendez concluded in his letter to Obama.

The State Department viewed Tuesday's newest National Assembly as an important step for Venezuelans, but did acknowledge concerns regarding disputes of some elected representatives.

"The National Assembly can serve an important function in advancing and promoting a national dialogue focused on addressing the social and economic challenges facing the Venezuelan people," said John Kirby, spokesperson for the State Department's Bureau of Public Affairs, later adding, "We remain concerned by the controversy surrounding the seating of some elected representatives and call for a resolution of this dispute in manner that is transparent and reflects the preferences of the Venezuelan voters."

The State Department also called on Venezuela to release its political prisoners.

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