Duval Times

WASHINGTON, D.C.—A group of senators, including Rick Scott, Marco Rubio, Ted Cruz, and Bill Hagerty, have introduced the Venezuela Defense of Human Rights and Civil Society Reauthorization Act of 2023. The purpose of this act is to ensure that the current U.S. government's sanctions against Venezuela's narco-dictator Nicolás Maduro and his criminal regime remain in place. These sanctions are aimed at holding Maduro accountable for his human rights abuses against the Venezuelan people.

Without action, the sanctions are set to expire on December 21, 2023. In order to prevent this, Senators Scott, Rubio, Cruz, and Hagerty are pushing for the reauthorization of the sanctions. Senator Rick Scott expressed his concern over President Joe Biden's approach to dealing with dictators like Maduro, stating, "Time after time we've seen President Joe Biden appease murderous dictators like Maduro by lifting sanctions, allowing millions of dollars to fuel his dangerous regime and further destabilize the region." Scott emphasized the need for the United States to support the voice of freedom in Venezuela and hold Maduro accountable.

Senator Marco Rubio highlighted the importance of human rights sanctions as a tool to help the Venezuelan people who continue to suffer under Maduro's regime. He stated, "We have a moral duty to ensure that this narco-regime is held accountable for its countless crimes and that sanctions remain in place."

Senator Ted Cruz warned against appeasement of the Maduro regime and emphasized the need to maintain American sanctions. He stated, "Appeasement of the Maduro regime has only resulted in more violent aggression and repression by the regime. Now is exactly the wrong time to weaken American sanctions meant to hold the regime accountable."

Senator Bill Hagerty criticized President Biden's approach to the Maduro dictatorship and expressed his support for the reauthorization of sanctions. Hagerty said, "President Biden continues to appease the Maduro dictatorship and offer sweeping sanctions relief for mere promises of holding free and fair elections even as the regime continues its brutal crackdown on civil society."

The Venezuela Defense of Human Rights and Civil Society Reauthorization Act of 2023 aims to reauthorize certain sanctions for two years. These include visa sanctions on Venezuelan officials who approve of Russian military officials traveling to Venezuela, an export ban on the sale of assault weapons and crowd control tools to the Venezuelan military, and visa and property blocking sanctions on Venezuelan officials responsible for violating the internationally recognized human rights of Venezuelan civil society members and human rights activists.

With the support of Senators Scott, Rubio, Cruz, and Hagerty, the reauthorization of these sanctions will ensure that the Maduro regime is held accountable for its actions and that the Venezuelan people receive the support they need in their fight for freedom and democracy.

Click this link to access more information: https://www.rickscott.senate.gov/2023/11/sen-rick-scott-sen-marco-rubio-colleagues-introduce-reauthorization-to-preserve-sanctions-against-maduro-regime