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Pence tours Navy hospital ship heading to Latin America

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Pence tours Navy hospital ship heading to Latin America
News

News

Pence tours Navy hospital ship heading to Latin America

2019-06-19 02:49 Last Updated At：03:00

Vice President Mike Pence has toured a U.S. Navy hospital ship launching a five-month medical assistance mission to Latin American countries struggling to absorb hundreds of thousands of migrants from crisis-wracked Venezuela.

The ship departing Miami on Tuesday will aim to help Venezuelans in countries including Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic. It will also make stops in Haiti, Jamaica and several other Caribbean nations.

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Vice President Mike Pence speaks following a tour on the USNS Comfort, Tuesday, June 18, 2019, in Miami. The hospital ship is scheduled to embark on a five-month medical assistance mission to Latin America and the Caribbean, including several countries struggling to absorb migrants from crisis-wracked Venezuela. (AP PhotoLynne Sladky)

Vice President Mike Pence has toured a U.S. Navy hospital ship launching a five-month medical assistance mission to Latin American countries struggling to absorb hundreds of thousands of migrants from crisis-wracked Venezuela.
Vice President Mike Pence makes an announcement to the crew of the USNS Comfort while on a tour, Tuesday, June 18, 2019, in Miami. The hospital ship is scheduled to embark on a five-month medical assistance mission to Latin America and the Caribbean, including several countries struggling to absorb migrants from crisis-wracked Venezuela. (AP PhotoLynne Sladky)

The United Nations says the exodus of Venezuelans in recent years is the largest in Latin American history. Their number is expected to reach 5.3 million by the end of 2019.
Vice President Mike Pence and his wife Karen tour a surgery room on the USNS Comfort, Tuesday, June 18, 2019, in Miami. The hospital ship is scheduled to embark on a five-month medical assistance mission to Latin America and the Caribbean, including several countries struggling to absorb migrants from crisis-wracked Venezuela. At right is Adm. Craig Faller, commander of U.S. Southern Command. (AP PhotoLynne Sladky)

Vice President Mike Pence and his wife Karen tour a surgery room on the USNS Comfort, Tuesday, June 18, 2019, in Miami. The hospital ship is scheduled to embark on a five-month medical assistance mission to Latin America and the Caribbean, including several countries struggling to absorb migrants from crisis-wracked Venezuela. At right is Adm. Craig Faller, commander of U.S. Southern Command. (AP PhotoLynne Sladky)
Vice President Mike Pence, right, shakes hands with Carlos Vecchio, ambassador to Washington for Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido, left, following a tour on the USNS Comfort, Tuesday, June 18, 2019, in Miami. The hospital ship is scheduled to embark on a five-month medical assistance mission to Latin America and the Caribbean, including several countries struggling to absorb migrants from crisis-wracked Venezuela. At center is Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar. (AP PhotoLynne Sladky)

Vice President Mike Pence, right, shakes hands with Carlos Vecchio, ambassador to Washington for Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido, left, following a tour on the USNS Comfort, Tuesday, June 18, 2019, in Miami. The hospital ship is scheduled to embark on a five-month medical assistance mission to Latin America and the Caribbean, including several countries struggling to absorb migrants from crisis-wracked Venezuela. At center is Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar. (AP PhotoLynne Sladky)
Vice President Mike Pence and his wife Karen wave following a tour on the USNS Comfort, Tuesday, June 18, 2019, in Miami. The hospital ship is scheduled to embark on a five-month medical assistance mission to Latin America and the Caribbean, including several countries struggling to absorb migrants from crisis-wracked Venezuela. (AP PhotoLynne Sladky)

Vice President Mike Pence and his wife Karen wave following a tour on the USNS Comfort, Tuesday, June 18, 2019, in Miami. The hospital ship is scheduled to embark on a five-month medical assistance mission to Latin America and the Caribbean, including several countries struggling to absorb migrants from crisis-wracked Venezuela. (AP PhotoLynne Sladky)
Vice President Mike Pence, center, speaks following a tour on the USNS Comfort, Tuesday, June 18, 2019, in Miami. The hospital ship is scheduled to embark on a five-month medical assistance mission to Latin America and the Caribbean, including several countries struggling to absorb migrants from crisis-wracked Venezuela. At left is Carlos Vecchio, ambassador to Washington for Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido, and at right is Adm. Craig Faller, commander of U.S. Southern Command. (AP PhotoLynne Sladky)

Vice President Mike Pence, center, speaks following a tour on the USNS Comfort, Tuesday, June 18, 2019, in Miami. The hospital ship is scheduled to embark on a five-month medical assistance mission to Latin America and the Caribbean, including several countries struggling to absorb migrants from crisis-wracked Venezuela. At left is Carlos Vecchio, ambassador to Washington for Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido, and at right is Adm. Craig Faller, commander of U.S. Southern Command. (AP PhotoLynne Sladky)
Vice President Mike Pence salutes as he boards the USNS Comfort, Tuesday, June 18, 2019, in Miami. The hospital ship is scheduled to embark on a five-month medical assistance mission to Latin America and the Caribbean, including several countries struggling to absorb migrants from crisis-wracked Venezuela. (AP PhotoLynne Sladky)

Vice President Mike Pence salutes as he boards the USNS Comfort, Tuesday, June 18, 2019, in Miami. The hospital ship is scheduled to embark on a five-month medical assistance mission to Latin America and the Caribbean, including several countries struggling to absorb migrants from crisis-wracked Venezuela. (AP PhotoLynne Sladky)
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Vice President Mike Pence speaks following a tour on the USNS Comfort, Tuesday, June 18, 2019, in Miami. The hospital ship is scheduled to embark on a five-month medical assistance mission to Latin America and the Caribbean, including several countries struggling to absorb migrants from crisis-wracked Venezuela. (AP PhotoLynne Sladky)

Vice President Mike Pence has toured a U.S. Navy hospital ship launching a five-month medical assistance mission to Latin American countries struggling to absorb hundreds of thousands of migrants from crisis-wracked Venezuela.

Vice President Mike Pence makes an announcement to the crew of the USNS Comfort while on a tour, Tuesday, June 18, 2019, in Miami. The hospital ship is scheduled to embark on a five-month medical assistance mission to Latin America and the Caribbean, including several countries struggling to absorb migrants from crisis-wracked Venezuela. (AP PhotoLynne Sladky)

The United Nations says the exodus of Venezuelans in recent years is the largest in Latin American history. Their number is expected to reach 5.3 million by the end of 2019.

Vice President Mike Pence and his wife Karen tour a surgery room on the USNS Comfort, Tuesday, June 18, 2019, in Miami. The hospital ship is scheduled to embark on a five-month medical assistance mission to Latin America and the Caribbean, including several countries struggling to absorb migrants from crisis-wracked Venezuela. At right is Adm. Craig Faller, commander of U.S. Southern Command. (AP PhotoLynne Sladky)

Vice President Mike Pence and his wife Karen tour a surgery room on the USNS Comfort, Tuesday, June 18, 2019, in Miami. The hospital ship is scheduled to embark on a five-month medical assistance mission to Latin America and the Caribbean, including several countries struggling to absorb migrants from crisis-wracked Venezuela. At right is Adm. Craig Faller, commander of U.S. Southern Command. (AP PhotoLynne Sladky)

Vice President Mike Pence, right, shakes hands with Carlos Vecchio, ambassador to Washington for Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido, left, following a tour on the USNS Comfort, Tuesday, June 18, 2019, in Miami. The hospital ship is scheduled to embark on a five-month medical assistance mission to Latin America and the Caribbean, including several countries struggling to absorb migrants from crisis-wracked Venezuela. At center is Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar. (AP PhotoLynne Sladky)

Vice President Mike Pence, right, shakes hands with Carlos Vecchio, ambassador to Washington for Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido, left, following a tour on the USNS Comfort, Tuesday, June 18, 2019, in Miami. The hospital ship is scheduled to embark on a five-month medical assistance mission to Latin America and the Caribbean, including several countries struggling to absorb migrants from crisis-wracked Venezuela. At center is Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar. (AP PhotoLynne Sladky)

Vice President Mike Pence and his wife Karen wave following a tour on the USNS Comfort, Tuesday, June 18, 2019, in Miami. The hospital ship is scheduled to embark on a five-month medical assistance mission to Latin America and the Caribbean, including several countries struggling to absorb migrants from crisis-wracked Venezuela. (AP PhotoLynne Sladky)

Vice President Mike Pence and his wife Karen wave following a tour on the USNS Comfort, Tuesday, June 18, 2019, in Miami. The hospital ship is scheduled to embark on a five-month medical assistance mission to Latin America and the Caribbean, including several countries struggling to absorb migrants from crisis-wracked Venezuela. (AP PhotoLynne Sladky)

Vice President Mike Pence, center, speaks following a tour on the USNS Comfort, Tuesday, June 18, 2019, in Miami. The hospital ship is scheduled to embark on a five-month medical assistance mission to Latin America and the Caribbean, including several countries struggling to absorb migrants from crisis-wracked Venezuela. At left is Carlos Vecchio, ambassador to Washington for Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido, and at right is Adm. Craig Faller, commander of U.S. Southern Command. (AP PhotoLynne Sladky)

Vice President Mike Pence, center, speaks following a tour on the USNS Comfort, Tuesday, June 18, 2019, in Miami. The hospital ship is scheduled to embark on a five-month medical assistance mission to Latin America and the Caribbean, including several countries struggling to absorb migrants from crisis-wracked Venezuela. At left is Carlos Vecchio, ambassador to Washington for Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido, and at right is Adm. Craig Faller, commander of U.S. Southern Command. (AP PhotoLynne Sladky)

Vice President Mike Pence salutes as he boards the USNS Comfort, Tuesday, June 18, 2019, in Miami. The hospital ship is scheduled to embark on a five-month medical assistance mission to Latin America and the Caribbean, including several countries struggling to absorb migrants from crisis-wracked Venezuela. (AP PhotoLynne Sladky)

Vice President Mike Pence salutes as he boards the USNS Comfort, Tuesday, June 18, 2019, in Miami. The hospital ship is scheduled to embark on a five-month medical assistance mission to Latin America and the Caribbean, including several countries struggling to absorb migrants from crisis-wracked Venezuela. (AP PhotoLynne Sladky)

Pence criticized embattled Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and said the Trump administration and its regional partners will continue to aid Venezuelan migrants fleeing the country's political and economic crisis.

Vice President Mike Pence speaks following a tour on the USNS Comfort, Tuesday, June 18, 2019, in Miami. The hospital ship is scheduled to embark on a five-month medical assistance mission to Latin America and the Caribbean, including several countries struggling to absorb migrants from crisis-wracked Venezuela. (AP PhotoLynne Sladky)

Vice President Mike Pence speaks following a tour on the USNS Comfort, Tuesday, June 18, 2019, in Miami. The hospital ship is scheduled to embark on a five-month medical assistance mission to Latin America and the Caribbean, including several countries struggling to absorb migrants from crisis-wracked Venezuela. (AP PhotoLynne Sladky)

The United Nations says the exodus of Venezuelans in recent years is the largest in Latin American history. Their number is expected to reach 5.3 million by the end of 2019.

Vice President Mike Pence makes an announcement to the crew of the USNS Comfort while on a tour, Tuesday, June 18, 2019, in Miami. The hospital ship is scheduled to embark on a five-month medical assistance mission to Latin America and the Caribbean, including several countries struggling to absorb migrants from crisis-wracked Venezuela. (AP PhotoLynne Sladky)

Vice President Mike Pence makes an announcement to the crew of the USNS Comfort while on a tour, Tuesday, June 18, 2019, in Miami. The hospital ship is scheduled to embark on a five-month medical assistance mission to Latin America and the Caribbean, including several countries struggling to absorb migrants from crisis-wracked Venezuela. (AP PhotoLynne Sladky)

 Vice President Mike Pence and his wife Karen tour a surgery room on the USNS Comfort, Tuesday, June 18, 2019, in Miami. The hospital ship is scheduled to embark on a five-month medical assistance mission to Latin America and the Caribbean, including several countries struggling to absorb migrants from crisis-wracked Venezuela. At right is Adm. Craig Faller, commander of U.S. Southern Command. (AP PhotoLynne Sladky)

Vice President Mike Pence and his wife Karen tour a surgery room on the USNS Comfort, Tuesday, June 18, 2019, in Miami. The hospital ship is scheduled to embark on a five-month medical assistance mission to Latin America and the Caribbean, including several countries struggling to absorb migrants from crisis-wracked Venezuela. At right is Adm. Craig Faller, commander of U.S. Southern Command. (AP PhotoLynne Sladky)

 Vice President Mike Pence, right, shakes hands with Carlos Vecchio, ambassador to Washington for Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido, left, following a tour on the USNS Comfort, Tuesday, June 18, 2019, in Miami. The hospital ship is scheduled to embark on a five-month medical assistance mission to Latin America and the Caribbean, including several countries struggling to absorb migrants from crisis-wracked Venezuela. At center is Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar. (AP PhotoLynne Sladky)

Vice President Mike Pence, right, shakes hands with Carlos Vecchio, ambassador to Washington for Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido, left, following a tour on the USNS Comfort, Tuesday, June 18, 2019, in Miami. The hospital ship is scheduled to embark on a five-month medical assistance mission to Latin America and the Caribbean, including several countries struggling to absorb migrants from crisis-wracked Venezuela. At center is Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar. (AP PhotoLynne Sladky)

 Vice President Mike Pence and his wife Karen wave following a tour on the USNS Comfort, Tuesday, June 18, 2019, in Miami. The hospital ship is scheduled to embark on a five-month medical assistance mission to Latin America and the Caribbean, including several countries struggling to absorb migrants from crisis-wracked Venezuela. (AP PhotoLynne Sladky)

Vice President Mike Pence and his wife Karen wave following a tour on the USNS Comfort, Tuesday, June 18, 2019, in Miami. The hospital ship is scheduled to embark on a five-month medical assistance mission to Latin America and the Caribbean, including several countries struggling to absorb migrants from crisis-wracked Venezuela. (AP PhotoLynne Sladky)
Vice President Mike Pence, center, speaks following a tour on the USNS Comfort, Tuesday, June 18, 2019, in Miami. The hospital ship is scheduled to embark on a five-month medical assistance mission to Latin America and the Caribbean, including several countries struggling to absorb migrants from crisis-wracked Venezuela. At left is Carlos Vecchio, ambassador to Washington for Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido, and at right is Adm. Craig Faller, commander of U.S. Southern Command. (AP PhotoLynne Sladky)

Vice President Mike Pence, center, speaks following a tour on the USNS Comfort, Tuesday, June 18, 2019, in Miami. The hospital ship is scheduled to embark on a five-month medical assistance mission to Latin America and the Caribbean, including several countries struggling to absorb migrants from crisis-wracked Venezuela. At left is Carlos Vecchio, ambassador to Washington for Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido, and at right is Adm. Craig Faller, commander of U.S. Southern Command. (AP PhotoLynne Sladky)

 Vice President Mike Pence salutes as he boards the USNS Comfort, Tuesday, June 18, 2019, in Miami. The hospital ship is scheduled to embark on a five-month medical assistance mission to Latin America and the Caribbean, including several countries struggling to absorb migrants from crisis-wracked Venezuela. (AP PhotoLynne Sladky)

Vice President Mike Pence salutes as he boards the USNS Comfort, Tuesday, June 18, 2019, in Miami. The hospital ship is scheduled to embark on a five-month medical assistance mission to Latin America and the Caribbean, including several countries struggling to absorb migrants from crisis-wracked Venezuela. (AP PhotoLynne Sladky)

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. intelligence officials have determined that Russian President Vladimir Putin likely didn’t order the death of imprisoned opposition leader Alexei Navalny in February, according to an official familiar with the determination.

While U.S. officials believe Putin was ultimately responsible for the death of Navalny, who endured brutal conditions during his confinement, the intelligence community has found “no smoking gun” that Putin was aware of the timing of Navalny's death — which came soon before the Russian president's reelection — or directly ordered it, according to the official.

The official spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive matter.

Soon after Navalny’s death, U.S. President Joe Biden said Putin was ultimately responsible but did not accuse the Russian president of directly ordering it.

At the time, Biden said the U.S. did not know exactly what had happened to Navalny but that “there is no doubt” that his death “was the consequence of something that Putin and his thugs did.”

Navalny, 47, Russia’s best-known opposition politician and Putin’s most persistent foe, died Feb. 16 in a remote penal colony above the Arctic Circle while serving a 19-year sentence on extremism charges that he rejected as politically motivated.

He had been behind bars since January 2021 after returning to Russia from Germany, where he had been recovering from nerve-agent poisoning that he blamed on the Kremlin.

Russian officials have said only that Navalny died of natural causes and have vehemently denied involvement both in the poisoning and in his death.

In March, a month after Navalny’s death, Putin won a landslide reelection for a fifth term, an outcome that was never in doubt.

The Wall Street Journal first reported about the U.S. intelligence determination.

FILE - Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny gestures while speaking during his interview to the Associated Press in Moscow, Russia on Dec. 18, 2017. U.S. intelligence officials have determined that Russian President Vladimir Putin likely didn't order the death of Navalny, the imprisoned opposition leader, in February of 2024. An official says the U.S. intelligence community has found "no smoking gun" that Putin was aware of the timing of Navalny's death or directly ordered it. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko, File)

FILE - Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny gestures while speaking during his interview to the Associated Press in Moscow, Russia on Dec. 18, 2017. U.S. intelligence officials have determined that Russian President Vladimir Putin likely didn't order the death of Navalny, the imprisoned opposition leader, in February of 2024. An official says the U.S. intelligence community has found "no smoking gun" that Putin was aware of the timing of Navalny's death or directly ordered it. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko, File)
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