Gallego, Malliotakis Call on Biden Administration to Condemn Socialist Maduro Regime, Impose Sanctions

Gallego, Malliotakis Call on Biden Administration to Condemn Socialist Maduro Regime, Impose Sanctions

PHOENIX - Today, Reps. Ruben Gallego (AZ-03) and Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11) sent a bipartisan letter to President Biden condemning the actions of the Socialist Maduro regime in the recent Venezuelan elections and urging the Administration to impose sanctions.

"As you know, Venezuelans bravely went to the polls over the weekend to have their voices heard, despite threats of violence from the brutal, Socialist Maduro regime," the Members wrote. "The election that resulted, however, was neither free nor fair. The Maduro regime relied on its well-worn tactics of intimidation and manipulation; failing to tally all votes, blocking access to voting locations, opening certain polling places late, and using street checkpoints to limit travel."

"Taken together, it is past time that we do not naively take Maduro at his word - this election was neither free nor fair and violates the 'Barbados Agreement' that was facilitated by your Administration, providing sanctions relief to Venezuela's oil industry in exchange for free elections. The Maduro regime singlehandedly broke this agreement," the Members continued. "We, therefore, call on you to impose new sanctions and to take additional steps with the international community to support the Venezuelan people. We remain heartened by the courage they show in their quest for democracy."

Full text can be found HERE.

The letter comes after, earlier this week, Rep. Gallego joined a bipartisan, bicameral group of colleagues in a statement condemning the Maduro regime's sham presidential elections.