Duval Times

On November 30, 2023, U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) and his colleagues introduced the Venezuela Defense of Human Rights and Civil Society Reauthorization Act of 2023. The purpose of this act is to preserve the current sanctions against Venezuela's narco-dictator Nicolás Maduro and his regime, which are set to expire on December 21, 2023.

Senator Rubio emphasized the importance of maintaining these sanctions as a means to help the Venezuelan people who continue to suffer under Maduro's criminal regime. He stated, "Human rights sanctions remain a crucial tool to help Venezuelans who continue to suffer under Maduro’s criminal regime. We have a moral duty to ensure that this narco-regime is held accountable for its countless crimes and that sanctions remain in place."

Joining Senator Rubio in his efforts are Senators Rick Scott (R-FL), Ted Cruz (R-TX), and Bill Hagerty (R-TN). Senator Scott expressed his concerns about President Joe Biden's approach to the Maduro regime, 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. The people of Venezuela made their choice by backing María Corina Machado as the legitimate opposition leader, and now the United States must use every opportunity it has to put the full support behind the voice for freedom, using every sanction within the power of our nation to hold Maduro accountable."

Senator Cruz also emphasized the need to maintain strong sanctions against the Maduro regime, stating, "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 Hagerty echoed his colleagues' concerns about the Biden administration's approach to the Maduro regime and expressed his support for the reauthorization of sanctions. He stated, "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. I’m pleased to join my colleagues in introducing this legislation to ensure that sanctions remain on this narcoterrorist regime absent major, credible concessions toward restoring democratic governance in Venezuela."

The Venezuela Defense of Human Rights and Civil Society Reauthorization Act of 2023 would reauthorize several key sanctions for a period of two years. These sanctions include visa sanctions on Venezuelan officials who approve of Russian military officials' travel to Venezuela, an export ban on the sale of assault weapons and other crowd control tools to the Venezuelan military, and visa and property blocking sanctions on Venezuelan officials found responsible for violating the internationally recognized human rights of Venezuelan civil society members and human rights activists from the 2014 Venezuela Defense of Human Rights and Civil Society Act.

This reauthorization act aims to hold the Maduro regime accountable for its actions and support those who are fighting for a truly democratic and free Venezuela.

To find out more, go to this link: https://www.rubio.senate.gov/rubio-colleagues-introduce-reauthorization-to-preserve-sanctions-against-maduro-regime/