07/27/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/27/2024 09:09
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Senator Rick Scott released the below statement ahead of Venezuela's presidential election this Sunday. Ahead of the election, the regime of Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro disqualified the leading opposition candidate, María Corina Machado, from participating in the upcoming presidential elections. Over the last few months, members of Machado's team have been targeted and even arrested by Maduro's thugs. Since the Biden-Harris administration took office, it has repeatedly taken actions to appease murderous dictators like Maduro and failed to stand up for freedom and democracy in Venezuela and throughout Latin America.
Senator Rick Scott said, "If given the opportunity for a truly fair and free election, I believe the people of Venezuela will choose to vote for the future of their country and reject the murderous dictator Nicolás Maduro this Sunday. For too long, Nicolás Maduro and his thugs have deprived the Venezuelan people of this choice by attacking his political opponents, using violence and threats in a desperate attempt to hold onto power over a people that hate him.
"This election must be different. Maduro MUST allow the Venezuelan people to finally exercise their right to vote in a free and fair election. President Biden and Vice President Harris have shown nothing but weakness and appeasement toward Maduro and that has fueled his oppression of the Venezuelan people. The Biden-Harris administration must immediately reimpose the sanctions it lifted without any assurances from this murderous regime, and call on Maduro to allow a peaceful transfer of power when a true leader is chosen. The Biden-Harris administration appeasement of Maduro has clearly failed and must end now. We cannot waste this opportunity to advance our fight for democracy in Venezuela. This is a significant moment in the Venezuelan people's fight for freedom and true representative government. I will continue working alongside the freedom-loving Venezuelan people to bring democracy back to their country."
Since the Biden-Harris administration's failed deal with Maduro was first announced, Senator Scott has put pressure on the White House to stand up for freedom and democracy in Venezuela. See the Senator's actions below:
###