Duval Times

U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Tim Kaine (D-VA) and U.S. Representatives Michael McCaul (R-TX) and María Elvira Salazar (R-FL) have issued a joint statement condemning the Maduro regime for undermining the will of the Venezuelan people in the recent election.

“As Chairs of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Chairs and Ranking Members of our respective Western Hemisphere Subcommittees, we stand united in condemning the Maduro regime’s ongoing attempts to blatantly undermine the will of the Venezuelan people, pushing the country deeper into a political and humanitarian crisis," read their statement.

The statement continues by citing assessments from credible independent electoral observers that challenge the National Electoral Council's declaration of Maduro's victory. “Credible independent electoral observers’ assessments following Sunday’s election undermine the National Electoral Council’s fraudulent and unverifiable declaration that Maduro won the election. The overwhelming evidence, including an estimated 80 percent of vote tallies published online, clearly indicates that the Maduro regime is actively attempting to conceal the truth that Edmundo González is the rightful President-elect of Venezuela.”

The lawmakers further criticized tactics used by Maduro's government during and after the election process. “Despite deploying nearly every tactic of authoritarianism to undermine the electoral process and secure a regime victory, the Maduro regime could not deter the Venezuelan people from turning out in droves – peacefully and bravely – to vote for change and a better future. Instead of conceding, the Maduro regime has resorted to what dictatorships do: violently repress its citizens, spread propaganda, and persecute opposition leaders.”

The statement calls on international support to ensure transparency in verifying electoral results and safeguarding opposition leaders. “It will be critical for our democratic partners across the international community – particularly Colombia, Brazil, Mexico, CARICOM, and the EU – to support our shared efforts to secure transparent verification of the electoral results, ensure safety for Machado, González, and other opposition leaders...”

They concluded with a call for immediate action from both U.S. government entities and international allies: “Together, we must send a clear message to Maduro that the world is watching, and his attempts to overturn the will of the Venezuelan people once again will not stand.”

The joint statement emphasizes readiness to use appropriate tools including targeted sanctions as leverage against Maduro's administration.