Duval Times

Senators Rick Scott, Marco Rubio, and Bill Cassidy have sent a letter to President Biden urging immediate action against the Maduro regime in Venezuela. The senators demand that sanctions be enforced as the regime has failed to follow the principles outlined in the Barbados agreement. The Maduro narco-regime's court recently upheld a decision to disqualify opposition candidate María Corina Machado from the upcoming presidential elections. Additionally, members of Machado's team were arbitrarily arrested, and her headquarters were vandalized by the regime.

The senators express concern that the Biden administration has granted concessions to the narco-regime since taking office, including the release of Maduro's nephews, lifting sectoral sanctions, and granting clemency to Maduro's associate, Alex Saab. In a Senate Committee on Appropriations hearing, Secretary Blinken affirmed that necessary action would be taken if the ban against Venezuela's opposition leader persisted, yet no meaningful actions have been taken thus far.

In their letter to President Biden, the senators emphasize the importance of maintaining the United States' credibility and holding the Maduro regime accountable for undermining democratic elections. They urge the immediate reimposition of sanctions that were in place before the declaration of the Barbados agreement on October 17, 2023. The senators also call for a complete reconsideration of the administration's approach towards Venezuela policy.

The senators highlight the political and judicial persecution of opposition candidates, attacks on independent civil society, and the Venezuelan High Court's decision to uphold the electoral disqualification of Maria Corina Machado as clear violations of the electoral roadmap agreed upon by the regime. They reference Secretary of State Antony Blinken's testimony, where he stated that the regime would not receive a free pass for actions contradicting their commitments to free and fair elections.

The senators emphasize that continued authoritarian rule in Venezuela poses a dangerous threat, providing an opportunity for other authoritarian actors such as China, Russia, Iran, and transnational criminal groups to foster instability in the region. They argue that this not only affects foreign policy but also directly impacts national security and domestic economic security within the United States. The collaboration of these groups contributes to issues such as the opioid and border crisis, overwhelming law enforcement and communities throughout the nation.

The senators conclude their letter by urging President Biden to uphold the commitments made to Congress and the opposition parties of Venezuela. They express readiness to collaborate in addressing the challenges posed by the Venezuelan crisis.

In summary, Senators Rick Scott, Marco Rubio, and Bill Cassidy are urging President Biden to take immediate action against the Maduro regime in Venezuela. They emphasize the need to reimpose sanctions and hold the regime accountable for undermining democratic elections. The senators highlight the violations of the Barbados agreement and call for a reevaluation of the administration's Venezuela policy. They stress the threat that continued authoritarian rule in Venezuela poses to national security and domestic economic security. The senators urge President Biden to uphold commitments made to Congress and the opposition parties of Venezuela and express readiness to address the challenges posed by the Venezuelan crisis.