Duval Times

U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Rick Scott (R-FL), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), and Michael Bennet (D-CO) have introduced a resolution recognizing Edmundo González Urrutia as the President-elect of Venezuela following the country's recent presidential election.

“The Venezuelan people’s desire for freedom and democracy is admirable. The recent electoral process, which narco-dictator Maduro fraudulently claims he won, has been a testament to the tenacity of the Venezuelan spirit. The United States, along with democracies worldwide, can’t legitimize Maduro nor be complicit by remaining on the sidelines with an illegitimate narco-regime. The time has come for us to recognize the duly-democratically elected president of Venezuela, Edmundo González Urrutia,” stated Senator Rubio.

Senator Durbin added, “This resolution demonstrates across the political spectrum in the U.S. Senate what we and most of the democratic world recognize as obvious—that Edmundo González won Sunday’s election by a fair and commanding margin. The meticulously compiled and transparent release of more than 80 percent of all Venezuelan election results by credible election monitors confirms this as well. The Venezuelan people have suffered greatly in recent years and voted accordingly for change. I urge respect for the Venezuelan voters’ choice and ensuring peaceful democratic transfer of power.”

Senator Scott emphasized, “Evil dictator Nicolas Maduro, emboldened by the appeasement of the Biden-Harris administration, is attempting to steal yet another election from the people of Venezuela, meeting their calls for freedom with oppression and violence. Democracy in Venezuela is at stake and the security of our hemisphere is in danger. The United States cannot be silent or complicit in Maduro’s tyranny. The Venezuelan people have made their voices heard when they chose Edmundo González as their rightful leader and now the United States, and every freedom-loving nation, must stand with them.”

“Elections matter, and the will of the Venezuelan people must be respected,” noted Senator Kaine. “The results of the election are clear – Edmundo González Urrutia has won a resounding victory and is the legitimate president-elect of Venezuela. The opposition’s efforts, led by María Corina Machado, were instrumental in ensuring that we understand how the election unfolded. The democracies of the world are rallying in support of the Venezuelan people and in condemnation of what is a brazen and fraudulent attempt by the Maduro regime to steal the outcome. The only acceptable outcome is a peaceful transition of power to the new, duly elected presidential administration.”

Senator Cassidy remarked on regional implications: “This is a critical moment for our hemisphere. Do we have another 25 years of tyranny and repression just three hours from America? Do we allow the Russians, Chinese Communist Party, and drug cartels to use Venezuela as ground zero planning harm to the U.S. and allies in the hemisphere? We need to change course. It starts by recognizing President-elect Edmundo Gonzalez.”

Lastly, Senator Bennet affirmed support: “Edmundo González is the duly-democratically elected president of Venezuela. The Venezuelan people have long sought to restore rule of law and democracy in their country, and the United States stands with them.”

The resolution follows widespread international attention on Venezuela's electoral process amid ongoing political turmoil under Nicolás Maduro's regime.