Duval Times

Senator Rick Scott has introduced the Banning Operations and Leases with the Illegitimate Venezuelan Authoritarian Regime (BOLIVAR) Act, aimed at holding Venezuela's leader Nicolás Maduro accountable. This legislation would prevent U.S. federal agencies from conducting business with entities that support the Maduro regime. Similar legislation was previously enacted at the state level when Scott was Governor of Florida. Senators Ted Cruz and Marsha Blackburn are among the bill's cosponsors.

The proposed measure builds on efforts led by former President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, focusing on reversing what they see as the Biden administration's appeasement policies. These efforts aim to increase economic pressure on the Maduro regime by ending contracts that benefit the regime's criminal operations.

Senator Rick Scott stated, “Nicolás Maduro is an illegitimate, murderous dictator who oppresses the people of Venezuela, deprives them of freedoms, and steals elections from the rightful president, Edmundo González, and leader María Corina Machado. Maduro stands against everything the United States stands for, and he cannot remain in power. President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are moving quickly to reverse the appeasement and dangerous policies of the Biden administration, which have emboldened and enriched the regime for years now, and are taking significant action to hold the regime accountable and to stop Maduro from benefitting off Venezuela’s natural resources while the nation’s people suffer. We must keep up the pressure on the regime to FINALLY get Maduro out of power and bring freedom to the Venezuelan people by passing my BOLIVAR Act. This will build on our actions by preventing any federal agencies from doing business with anyone who chooses to do businesses with the murderous Maduro regime. It’s time to finally get this bill passed and signed into law to cut Maduro off from every last resource, get him and his thugs out of power, and bring a new day of freedom to Venezuela.”

Senator Marsha Blackburn commented on the bill by stating, “The Maduro regime is a fraudulent and oppressive dictatorship, and U.S. business dealings with Venezuela should not lend legitimacy to this government, which contradicts our democratic values. The BOLIVAR Act would prevent U.S. federal agencies from contracting with entities linked to the Maduro regime, severing financial support and weakening Nicolás Maduro’s authoritarian hold on Venezuela.”

Senator Ted Cruz emphasized the security aspect, saying, “Maduro is a tyrant and despot, and his regime poses acute risks to American national security and to the freedoms of the people of Venezuela. The regime is enabled and enriched through international contracts with global companies, and it is squarely in the interests of the United States to limit those contracts and hold those companies accountable. I urge my colleagues to take swift action to advance this bill.”

Key elements of the BOLIVAR Act include prohibiting federal agencies from engaging in business with companies that contract with the Maduro regime. The ban applies to contracts made after the bill’s enactment, with exceptions for humanitarian aid and disaster relief. The Secretary of State may waive these restrictions if deemed in the national interest of the U.S.