Duval Times

Did U.S. policy help Nicolás Maduro?

U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL)

August 1, 2024

Miami Herald

Foreign policy doesn’t rank among the most important issues for Americans. But while a strong, America First foreign policy may not fix domestic problems, a bad Biden-Harris foreign policy will make them even worse.

Just look at what’s happening in Venezuela. The Biden-Harris administration has “serious concerns” about dictator Nicolás Maduro’s announcement of electoral victory. But such an outcome to this sham election was entirely predictable from the start and was made more so by three years’ worth of concessions to and negotiations with the Maduro narco-dictatorship.

The Biden-Harris Administration framed these actions as steps to “free and fair elections” in Venezuela, but without any indication that Maduro would permit those elections. Even when Maduro banned the leading opposition candidate, María Corina Machado, from the ballot, they considered additional sanctions relief.

In short, the Biden-Harris Administration gave away every ounce of leverage we had over Maduro, then appeared surprised when he didn’t do what they wanted. It’s problematic to say the least, and not just for the people of Venezuela—or for opposition leader María Corina Machado and presidential candidate Edmundo González, who are now facing threats of imprisonment—but for America.

In recent years, nearly eight million Venezuelans have fled their country. Many of them have crossed our southern border, and many more will do the same if Maduro retains power. The tyrant will also happily send dangerous criminals—like the brutal Tren de Aragua gang, which is already wreaking havoc on our streets—the United States’ way. None of this makes life easier for American communities.

Naively begging bullies like Maduro to play by the rules has hurt America. It’s time for this administration to admit its mistakes, ready sanctions against those involved in the anti-democratic electoral process, and start the hard work of rebuilding our reputation abroad.

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