North Miami-Dade News

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, the Chairwoman of the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, María Elvira Salazar (R-FL), the Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Michael McCaul (R-TX), and the Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Jim Risch (R-ID), issued the following statement regarding the Maduro regime's backtracking on its commitments with the Biden Administration last October:

"Maduro has once again broken his commitments with the Biden Administration. The disqualification of opposition leader María Corina Machado and the ongoing arrests of Venezuelan opposition members go against the regime's promises.

"It is high time for the Biden Administration to hold Maduro accountable. They must immediately reinstate all sanctions that were lifted since October 2022, urge the European Union and other regional partners in the Western Hemisphere to match our sanctions, and seek international cooperation for the arrest and extradition of Nicolás Maduro. We must deny the Maduro regime the resources to commit grave violations of internationally recognized human rights and threaten regional and international peace."

The statement emphasizes the need for the Biden Administration to take decisive action against the Maduro regime, which has continuously undermined democratic principles and engaged in human rights abuses. The call for the restoration of sanctions highlights the importance of holding Maduro accountable for his actions and preventing further violations.

Salazar, McCaul, and Risch stress the urgency of the situation, urging the Biden Administration to act swiftly. They argue that the disqualification of opposition leaders and the ongoing arrests of members of the Venezuelan opposition demonstrate Maduro's disregard for democratic norms and his commitment to maintaining his grip on power.

The lawmakers also emphasize the need for international cooperation in bringing Maduro to justice. By seeking the support of the European Union and other regional partners, they aim to strengthen the impact of the sanctions and create a united front against the Maduro regime.

The statement concludes with a strong message: denying the Maduro regime access to resources is crucial in preventing further human rights violations and safeguarding regional and international peace.

The call from Salazar, McCaul, and Risch for the Biden Administration to reinstate sanctions on the Maduro regime reflects growing concerns about the deteriorating political and human rights situation in Venezuela. As the international community continues to grapple with the crisis, decisive action is necessary to hold Maduro accountable and support the Venezuelan people in their pursuit of democracy and freedom.