Duval Times

Ahead of tomorrow's Organization of American States (OAS) meeting regarding the results of Venezuela's 2024 presidential elections, Senator Rick Scott spoke with Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado and issued a statement urging the Biden-Harris administration to recognize Edmundo González as the legitimate president-elect of Venezuela. The current situation in Venezuela, according to Scott, is a direct result of what he describes as the failed appeasement policies of the Biden-Harris administration towards Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro.

Senator Scott has been vocal in his criticism since the announcement of what he terms the failed agreement between the Biden-Harris administration and Maduro. He has consistently pressed the White House to support freedom and democracy in Venezuela, asserting that both the United States and the Venezuelan people have been let down by current U.S. policy. Following Sunday's elections, Scott has repeatedly contacted the White House to arrange a call with President Biden and today reiterated his call for action in support of Venezuelans.

In his statement, Senator Rick Scott said: “I just spoke with María Corina Machado to offer my full support to her and Edmundo González in their fight for freedom and democracy in Venezuela. At tomorrow’s special OAS session addressing the results of Venezuela’s presidential elections, the Biden-Harris administration must do what is right and join other freedom-loving countries in recognizing Edmundo González as Venezuela’s legitimate president-elect. Since Biden-Harris’ failed deal with dictator Nicolás Maduro, his regime has only grown stronger, making our Western Hemisphere more dangerous. U.S. adversaries like Russia, China, Cuba, and Iran are active in Venezuela at Maduro’s invitation. Maduro’s massive fraud is a clear outcome of Biden-Harris’ appeasement that has emboldened him; he recently issued arrest warrants against María Corina Machado, Edmundo González, and other opposition leaders. It is evident that Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro has stolen another election from his people, once again rejecting their demands for freedom and democracy. We know Edmundo González won this election; if America is to lead the world in supporting democracy in Venezuela, he must be immediately recognized as president-elect by the Biden-Harris administration.”

Since announcing his stance against the agreement between the Biden-Harris administration and Maduro, Senator Scott has taken various actions advocating for Venezuelan democracy:

- Sen. Rick Scott Calls on Biden-Harris Admin to Reimpose Sanctions on Maduro Ahead of Venezuelan Elections

- Sen. Rick Scott: Reported Biden-Maduro Deal Disastrous for Freedom & Democracy in Venezuela

- Sen. Rick Scott to POTUS: Recognize María Corina Machado, Don't Trust Maduro to Uphold His Election Agreement

- Sen. Rick Scott & Sen. Marco Rubio Introduce Reauthorization to Preserve Sanctions Against Maduro Regime

- Sen. Rick Scott Calls for Passage of Resolution Recognizing María Corina Machado as Venezuela’s Official Presidential Opposition Candidate

- Sen. Rick Scott Leads Rally Supporting Venezuelan Opposition Presidential Candidate María Corina Machado

- Sens. Rick Scott & Marco Rubio: The Time to Act on Venezuela is NOW

- Sen. Rick Scott & Colleagues Urge Biden: Designate Tren de Aragua as a Transnational Criminal Organization

- Sen. Rick Scott Demands President Biden Reimpose Sanctions Against Maduro Regime

- Sens. Rick Scott & Dan Sullivan Warn Biden Not To Renew Oil Sanctions Relief For Venezuela’s Dictatorship

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