Whereas free, fair, transparent, and credible elections are the cornerstone of every democracy; Whereas legitimate elections that respect fundamental freedoms are characterized by transparency, accountability, security, and accessibility for all voters; Whereas strong democracies worldwide make for better trading partners, provide new market opportunities, improve global health outcomes, and promote economic freedom and regional security; Whereas several countries across Latin America are scheduled to hold presidential elections in 2018, and approximately three-quarters of the region’s citizens will choose their new leaders; Whereas the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, and Latin America are bound together by history, culture, and geography; Whereas democratic stability, regional security, and economic prosperity in the Western Hemisphere are vital to the national security interests of the United States; Whereas the transition to democracy has contributed to the long-term stability, security, and prosperity of nations throughout the Western Hemisphere; Whereas the Inter-American Democratic Charter states that representative democracy is indispensable for the stability, peace, and development of the region ; Whereas the current Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), Luis Almagro, has advocated on behalf of free and fair elections in the Western Hemisphere; Whereas in 2017, the OAS sent technical missions to observe elections in Nicaragua, Honduras, Haiti, Ecuador, and Bolivia; Whereas the deterioration of democratic institutions and rule of law that commenced under the leadership of President Hugo Chavez has contributed to the dictatorship that exists today in Venezuela under the leadership of President Nicolas Maduro, which has caused a serious humanitarian, economic, and security crisis that threatens the stability of the Western Hemisphere