Duval Times

U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Jim Risch (R-ID) have expressed their disappointment in the Biden Administration's choice not to extend a license to conduct business with the Maduro regime's oil and gas industry. In a joint-statement, the senators highlighted their concerns about the ongoing actions of the Maduro government in Venezuela.

Rubio and Risch stated, "Today’s announcement that President Biden will not renew a general license to do business with the Maduro regime’s oil and gas sector is long-overdue and insufficient given the realities on the ground in Venezuela." They criticized Maduro for violating negotiated agreements and undermining the democratic opposition, specifically targeting presidential candidate María Corina Machado. The senators also condemned the regime for repressing Venezuelans and holding members of Machado’s team.

The senators called for action from both the U.S. and the international community to address the situation in Venezuela. They urged for increased sanctions on the Maduro regime and enforcement of the indictment of Nicolás Maduro and members of Cártel de Los Soles from March 2020. Rubio and Risch also emphasized the need for diplomatic efforts to persuade the European Union and other democratic partners to support these measures.

Earlier in the week, Rubio and Risch, along with other colleagues, had urged President Biden to cease empowering the Maduro regime and to reinstate economic pressure by not renewing oil sanctions relief. The senators have been vocal in their stance on Venezuela, with previous joint statements and calls for action regarding the situation in the country.