This week, with the support of U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., introduced a resolution “condemning last year’s fraudulent legislative elections by the Maduro regime” and the “lack of free, fair, and transparent elections in Venezuela, as well as the continued erosion of the nation’s democracy and the rule of law.” Rubio’s resolution also recognizes “Interim President Juan Guaidó as Venezuela’s leader in the absence of a democratically elected president in the nation and reiterates the lack of legitimacy of the Maduro regime’s National Constituent Assembly.”
Rubio, who sits on the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee and leads Republicans on the U.S. Senate Western Hemisphere Subcommittee, introduced the resolution on Monday. Scott and U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez, D-NJ, the chairman of the committee, are backing the resolution as cosponsors. Other supporters include U.S. Sens. Ben Cardin, D-Mary., Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Dick Durbin, D-Ill.
“As the Maduro narco-terrorist regime continues to double down on its efforts to maintain its illegitimate grip on power, the United States Senate is sending a strong bipartisan message reaffirming its unwavering support of Interim President Guaidó,” Rubio said on Tuesday. “For years, we have witnessed the deterioration of Venezuela’s democracy. I am proud to lead this bipartisan effort to once again denounce Maduro and his cronies for their continued role in undermining their nation’s future through fraudulent elections. We will not stop fighting until Venezuela is once again a beacon of prosperity and democracy.”
“I am proud to join my colleagues today to send a clear message to Nicolas Maduro: the United States will never stop fighting for the people of Venezuela,” Scott said. “The appearance of democracy is not democracy and the world knows that Venezuela’s election, coordinated by the Maduro regime, is nothing more than a sham. Maduro is a ruthless dictator that murders and oppresses his own people. The United States and freedom-loving countries around the world must continue their unwavering support of interim President Juan Guaidó and denounce Maduro’s murderous regime. As Florida’s U.S. senator, I’ve made fighting for freedom in Latin America and across the globe a top priority and I will not stop until the people of Venezuela see a new day of democracy.”
“The Maduro regime’s puppet National Assembly is the latest assault on Venezuela’s decimated democracy and the result of elections that were not credible, democratic or transparent,” Menendez said. “Maduro’s efforts do not fool anyone and the world is aware of the lengths that he will go to hold on to power, including by committing crimes against humanity. This resolution expresses the Senate’s full rejection of all results of the sham electoral process and reiterates our commitment to stand with the Venezuelan people who have suffered for far too long.”
“The National Assembly is the legitimate democratic institution in Venezuela,” Cruz said. Nicolás Maduro’s attempts to circumvent it is a direct attack against Venezuela’s democracy. I am proud to join my colleagues in support of the Venezuelans fighting for freedom and democracy.”
“I am proud to cosponsor this resolution rejecting the most recent sham elections in Venezuela,” Durbin said. “The Maduro cabal continues to scheme at ways to undermine the legitimacy of the democratically elected Venezuelan National Assembly. This resolution rightly recognizes the only way forward in Venezuela is through a legitimate, free, and fair election.”
“The elections conducted in Venezuela last December were not free, fair, or transparent. Maduro’s government has committed crimes against humanity, and it does not represent the will of the Venezuelan people,” Cardin said. “We must continue to work with our international allies, including with the countries in the region who are generously hosting millions of Venezuelan refugees and migrants, to support the return of legitimate democracy, rule of law, and an end to the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela.”
The resolution was sent to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Monday.
Reach Kevin Derby at kevin.derby@floridadaily.com.
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