Duval Times

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senators Rick Scott, Marco Rubio, and Bill Cassidy have sent a letter to President Biden demanding immediate sanctions against the Maduro regime, as the principles of the Barbados agreement are not being respected. The narco-regime's court formally confirmed a previous decision that disqualified the main opposition candidate, María Corina Machado, from participating in the upcoming presidential elections. Recently, members of Machado's team were also arbitrarily arrested by the Maduro regime, and their headquarters was vandalized. Since taking office, the Biden Administration has granted a wave of concessions to the narco-regime, including the release of Maduro's nephews, the lifting of sectoral sanctions, and the granting of clemency to Maduro's accomplice, Alex Saab.

The Senators wrote this letter following a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing in which Secretary Blinken stated that the Biden administration would "take necessary steps" if the ban against the Venezuelan opposition leader remained. So far, no significant action has been taken.

The Senators wrote, "To maintain the credibility of the United States and hold the regime accountable for its decision to undermine democratic elections, we urge you to immediately reimpose the existing sanctions in place prior to the declaration of the Barbados agreement on October 17, 2023."

The Senators continued, "We now ask that you respect the commitment you and your administration have made to Congress and the opposition parties in Venezuela. We stand ready to collaboratively address the challenges posed by the Venezuelan crisis."

The full letter can be read HERE in English.

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The ongoing crisis in Venezuela has caught the attention of Senators Rick Scott, Marco Rubio, and their colleagues. They have sent a letter to President Biden, demanding immediate action and the imposition of sanctions against the Maduro regime. The Senators argue that the principles of the Barbados agreement, which seeks to promote democracy in Venezuela, are not being respected.

Central to their concerns is the disqualification of María Corina Machado, the main opposition candidate, from the upcoming presidential elections. The narco-regime's court has formally confirmed this decision, further undermining the democratic process. In addition, members of Machado's team have been arbitrarily arrested, and their headquarters have been vandalized.

The Senators highlight the concessions made by the Biden Administration to the narco-regime since taking office. These include the release of Maduro's nephews, the lifting of sectoral sanctions, and the granting of clemency to Alex Saab, a close associate of Maduro. Such actions, according to the Senators, undermine the credibility of the United States and fail to hold the regime accountable for its actions.

During a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing, Secretary Blinken stated that the Biden administration would take necessary steps if the ban against the Venezuelan opposition leader remained. However, the Senators note that no significant action has been taken so far.

In their letter, the Senators urge President Biden to reimpose the existing sanctions that were in place prior to the declaration of the Barbados agreement in October 2023. They emphasize the need to maintain the credibility of the United States and hold the Maduro regime accountable for subverting democratic elections.

The Senators also call on President Biden to respect the commitment made to Congress and the opposition parties in Venezuela. They express their willingness to collaborate in addressing the challenges posed by the Venezuelan crisis.

The full letter can be read in English [here](insert link).

The situation in Venezuela remains dire, and it is clear that Senators Scott, Rubio, and their colleagues believe that the time to act is now.