Duval Times

On August 2, 2024, Senator Rick Scott joined Senators Marco Rubio, Dick Durbin, Tim Kaine, Bill Cassidy, and Michael Bennet in introducing a resolution recognizing Edmundo González as the President-elect of Venezuela. This year's presidential election in Venezuela was perceived as a significant moment as Venezuelans voted amid ongoing political turmoil. Despite efforts by the Maduro regime to retain power, the people of Venezuela overwhelmingly elected Edmundo González Urrutia.

Senator Rick Scott stated, "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."

Senator Marco Rubio remarked, "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."

Senator Dick Durbin commented on bipartisan support within the U.S. Senate: "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 Tim Kaine emphasized respecting electoral outcomes: "Elections matter, and the will of the Venezuelan people must be respected. 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 Bill Cassidy highlighted 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 Russians, Chinese Communist Party members, and drug cartels to use Venezuela as ground zero planning harm to the U.S.? We need to change course starting by recognizing President-elect Edmundo Gonzalez."

Senator Michael Bennet reiterated support for democracy: "Edmundo González is duly-democratically elected president of Venezuela. The Venezuelan people have long sought to restore rule-of-law democracy in their country; America stands with them."