The Florida delegation on Capitol Hill is rallying around a resolution expressing support for Colombia.
Over in the U.S. Senate, Florida’s two senators–Republicans Marco Rubio and Rick Scott–are working with U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, on the resolution “reaffirming the United States’ commitment to Colombia.” Rubio praised that nation as “America’s strongest ally in the Western Hemisphere.”
The resolution also “condemns any efforts to undermine democracy and encourages the international community to join the U.S. in standing with Colombia” and “calls for supporting Colombia to address the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, including by providing excess vaccine doses to help revitalize Colombia’s economy.”
On Monday, the senator weighed in on the resolution.
“The ongoing situation in Colombia is of grave concern and must be met with international support and solidarity,” Rubio said. “As members of Foreign Terrorist Organizations, including the ELN and the dissident forces of the FARC, seek to destabilize a democratically elected, pro-American government, our nation must use all tools available to ensure peace and restore stability.”
“The United States and Colombia share a commitment to promoting security, prosperity, human rights and democracy across the Western Hemisphere,” Scott said. “Colombia is our greatest ally in Latin America and a partner in combating drug trafficking. Right now, Colombia is supporting more than a million Venezuelan citizens who have fled Maduro’s murderous regime. They are an invaluable partner in the fight for freedom and democracy across Latin America. The violence being perpetrated now in Colombia by ELN and FARC, terrorist organizations backed by the Castro and Maduro regimes, is a disgusting attempt to destabilize Colombia’s democracy. The violent attacks and blockades threatening the Colombian people and their government are dangerous and reprehensible. Unfortunately, we’ve seen this before – it’s a script written by communist dictators in Cuba. This same unrest – meant to destabilize and undermine democracy, has been occurring in Latin America for decades. We can’t let it continue. I’m proud to stand with Colombia in the fight to defend freedom and democracy, and I encourage every freedom-loving nation to do the same.”
Over in the U.S. House, three South Florida Republicans–U.S. Reps. Mario Diaz-Balart, Carlos Giménez and Maria Elvira Salazar–are working on a similar resolution.
Reach Kevin Derby at kevin.derby@floridadaily.com.
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