North Miami-Dade News

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In an effort to support democracy in Venezuela and condemn the Maduro regime's attempts to eliminate political opposition, Western Hemisphere Subcommittee Chairwoman María Elvira Salazar (R-FL) and Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), co-chair of the Congressional Venezuela Democracy Caucus, have introduced the bipartisan Venezuelans Overcoming Interference and Corruption in Elections Act, or VOICE Act.

The VOICE Act aims to impose sanctions on Maduro regime officials who are responsible for banning opposition candidates, including María Corina Machado, Henrique Capriles, and Freddy Superlano, from participating in the anticipated 2024 presidential election.

In a statement, Chairwoman Salazar emphasized the importance of supporting those who are risking their lives to confront the dictatorship and prevent the regime from stealing the upcoming elections. She said, "In the face of renewed regime tactics to eliminate political opposition and steal the 2024 elections, the United States must support María Corina Machado and all those who are risking their lives to face the dictatorship. The VOICE Act restores the focus on Venezuela so that the dictator Maduro and his band of criminals can't keep getting away with the looting and destruction of the country."

Rep. Wasserman Schultz also expressed concerns about Maduro's desperate attempts to cling to power by disenfranchising his opponents. She said, "With backing from America's most dangerous adversaries, Maduro and his cronies continue to draw from the dictatorial playbook to the detriment of Venezuelans. This legislation draws a red line when it comes to his desperate attempts to cling to power by disenfranchising his opponents. The U.S. and its allies must stand united in our efforts to restore democracy in Venezuela."

The opposition leaders in Venezuela have faced violence, censorship, imprisonment, and exile under the socialist Maduro dictatorship. Despite their differences, the opposition has come together to register millions of voters and hold presidential debates with the goal of presenting a consensus candidate.

The Maduro-controlled National Electoral Council and other regime entities have consistently banned opposition candidates from running in elections. In addition, Maduro has mobilized pro-government militias for a "peace campaign," and the regime has blocked opposition websites to suppress the opposition vote in the upcoming primary scheduled for October.

The VOICE Act proposes several measures to support free elections in Venezuela, including expressing the consensus position of the United States that any attempts to undermine Venezuelan democracy should be condemned and the Venezuelan people deserve support in their peaceful, electoral efforts. The act also calls for imposing sanctions on individuals involved in banning opposition candidates, coordinating with democratic partners to provide technical assistance and election observers, outlining conditions for resolving the political and humanitarian crisis in Venezuela, appointing a Special Envoy for Venezuela, and promoting independent news and countering foreign influence in Venezuela.

As Chairwoman of the Western Hemisphere Subcommittee, Rep. Salazar has been dedicated to helping individuals suffering under socialist regimes. She has sponsored various legislation to restore democracy in Venezuela and defend the exile community, including the AFFECT Human Rights in Venezuela Act and the Venezuelan Adjustment Act.

The full text of the VOICE Act can be found here.

For more information, please visit:

• AFFECT Human Rights in Venezuela Act
• Venezuelan Adjustment Act