North Miami-Dade News

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar (R-FL), Chair of the Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, and Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) issued a joint statement today condemning the arbitrary decision by socialist dictator Nicolás Maduro to annul the results of the Venezuelan opposition's primary elections held on October 22, 2023.

"We strongly condemn the decision of the Venezuelan regime-controlled Tribunal to suspend the democratic opposition's primary election process, which mobilized 2.4 million Venezuelan voters to nominate María Corina Machado as the opposition candidate for the 2024 presidential elections. This attack on democracy is a serious violation of democratic principles and a clear breach of the recent agreement between the Maduro regime, the Plataforma Unitaria opposition, and the Biden Administration."

The congresswomen expressed their concerns over the criminalization of this legitimate political process, which was monitored by independent electoral observers and conducted in accordance with international standards. They pointed out that this action reflects a well-established pattern of contempt for genuine electoral independence and repression of political opponents, as evidenced by the regime's ban on opposition candidates and parties.

The requirement by the Tribunal for the independent National Primary Commission to provide documents identifying Venezuelan voters is particularly concerning, given the regime's history of retaliating against dissent through arbitrary imprisonment, extrajudicial executions, torture, marginalization, and denial of social services. The congresswomen expressed horror at the prospect of Venezuelan-Americans who participated in the primary elections, including many of their constituents, becoming targets of the regime.

In light of these developments, the congresswomen called on the Biden Administration to utilize all available tools to enforce the terms of the October 17 agreement, which promised the reimposition of sanctions in the event of a violation, and to ensure that Ms. Machado has the opportunity to participate in free and fair elections. They emphasized the need to make every possible effort to protect Venezuelan voters, including Venezuelan-Americans, from retaliation for exercising their right to vote.

Furthermore, Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar has sent a letter to the Biden Administration demanding the re-implementation of sanctions against the brutal Maduro regime for its violation of the terms of the October 17, 2023 agreement.

The statements by Congresswoman Salazar and Representative Wasserman Schultz highlight the deep concern and condemnation among American lawmakers over the Maduro regime's actions to undermine democracy in Venezuela. They call for strong action from the Biden Administration to hold the regime accountable and protect the rights of Venezuelan voters.

To find out more, go to this link: https://salazar.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresistas-salazar-y-wasserman-schultz-condenan-los-ataques-de-maduro-contra