Duval Times

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, after President Biden expressed support for a new election in Venezuela, Senator Rick Scott sent a letter to President Biden urging the administration to back the Venezuelan people's fight for democracy. Scott called for support of opposition leader María Corina Machado and Edmundo González Urrutia as president-elect. He also requested reimposing sanctions if Nicolás Maduro remains in power.

In his letter, Scott stated: "On Saturday, the Venezuelan people will rally in the streets of their country for freedom and democracy while the murderous dictator, Nicolás Maduro, continues his corrupt attempt to maintain power and steal an election he clearly lost."

Scott criticized Biden's support for Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's call for a new election in Venezuela: "That is a slap in the face to the Venezuelan people and undermines the result of the July 28 vote and their fight for freedom."

The senator emphasized that Edmundo González Urrutia was the clear winner of the July 28 election: "The United States must stand with the Venezuelan people and show with words and actions that the coward Maduro regime cannot stop this movement for freedom and democracy."

Scott highlighted his communications with María Corina Machado: "In our most recent conversations, María Corina Machado made clear what the United States must do to support this cause."

He outlined three immediate actions:

1. Recognize Edmundo González Urrutia as president-elect.

2. Demand Maduro work towards an orderly transition of power.

3. Rally international institutions to respect and carry out the will of the Venezuelan people.

Additionally, Scott urged:

1. Reimposing sanctions on Maduro.

2. Imposing sanctions on countries assisting Maduro.

3. Calling daily for an end to repression in Venezuela.

Scott concluded: "If the United States is going to lead the world in supporting democracy in Venezuela, [González] must be immediately recognized as president-elect by the Biden-Harris administration through words and actions which show that the United States stands in total solidarity with the Venezuelan people."