North Miami-Dade News

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar, along with Representatives Mario Díaz-Balart and Carlos Giménez, has introduced a Resolution that recognizes María Corina Machado as the legitimate presidential candidate for the upcoming Venezuelan elections. The Senate version of the Resolution was presented by Senators Marco Rubio and Rick Scott.

"The Venezuelan opposition overwhelmingly chose María Corina Machado to lead the fight against the Maduro regime," said Representative Salazar. "The United States must offer her full support and stand behind her campaign as millions of Venezuelans around the world rally around her in the fight against dictatorship."

Earlier this year, the Maduro regime agreed to allow María Corina Machado to run in the opposition's presidential primaries in exchange for the United States easing sanctions on Venezuela's oil, gas, and gold exports. Immediately after María Corina's victory, Maduro disregarded the election result, violating the agreement with the United States.

Over time, the Maduro regime has become increasingly desperate to distract attention from María Corina's momentum. Maduro held a fake referendum on the annexation of the Esequibo region of Guyana, while his Attorney General, Tarek William Saab, issued arrest warrants for several of María Corina's closest political advisors on spurious money laundering charges.

These actions are part of the socialist agenda: if you can't win fair and square, cheat.

The United States must support María Corina Machado, Venezuela's best chance to rid itself of over two decades of socialism.

"I am proud to introduce a resolution that strongly supports María Corina Machado as the legitimate candidate for the Venezuelan opposition's presidential race and condemns the Maduro regime's attempts to exclude any legitimate opposition from political participation," said Representative Díaz-Balart. "The Venezuelan people, both in Venezuela and abroad, overwhelmingly backed María Corina Machado as the leading candidate of the Venezuelan opposition. I strongly opposed the Biden Administration's decision to relax sanctions on the Maduro dictatorship while setting an arbitrary deadline of November 30, 2023, supposedly to encourage free and fair elections in Venezuela. That deadline has passed, and the administration has not reimposed tough sanctions. The United States must unequivocally support the Venezuelan people in their brave struggle for freedom, human rights, and democratic governance."

"The murderous Maduro regime is threatening, intimidating, and silencing opposition candidate María Corina Machado," said Representative Giménez. "This blatant attack on democracy shows the regime's desperation in the face of an imminent defeat. The Venezuelan people are determined to free themselves from communism with María Corina, and the United States must support the freedom-loving people of Venezuela."

The Resolution can be read here.

To find out more, go to this link: https://salazar.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresista-salazar-presenta-resolucion-que-reconoce-maria-corina-machado-como