North Miami-Dade News

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Chairwoman Salazar of the Western Hemisphere Subcommittee has organized a bipartisan roundtable discussion for Venezuelan presidential candidate María Corina Machado to address the United States Congress. The meeting aims to shed light on the illegitimate disqualification of Machado by the Maduro regime and the dire situation faced by Venezuelans both at home and abroad.

María Corina Machado, a prominent opposition leader in Venezuela, was unjustly barred from running for office by the Chavista-controlled Supreme Court of Justice. Despite winning over 90% of support from the opposition, she was disqualified for 15 years. This move by the Maduro regime is seen as an attempt to prevent Machado from becoming the next president of Venezuela.

In response to this injustice, the Biden Administration has imposed sanctions on gold and threatened to reimpose sanctions on oil if the Maduro regime does not reverse its decision by April 18th. The Administration's actions come after a failed agreement reached with Maduro in October 2023.

Chairwoman Salazar emphasizes the importance of free, fair, and transparent elections in Venezuela. She has reached out to the White House, stating, "We are here to work with them but we need to make sure there are free, fair, and transparent elections where they allow you to run and let the Venezuelan people decide who they want their next president to be."

Salazar further expresses her support for Machado, saying, "There is no Plan B. You were chosen, you played by the rules, and we have to respect that." Salazar believes that Machado is the best chance for Venezuela to rid itself of the corrupt Maduro regime, which she refers to as the "Mafia de Miraflores."

The roundtable discussion organized by Chairwoman Salazar aims to bring attention to Machado's plight and the need for democratic elections in Venezuela. Salazar has also introduced legislation to ensure transparent democratic elections can take place in Venezuela this year.

The Maduro regime, in its desperation to prevent a victory by Machado, has resorted to legal means and political distractions. For instance, Maduro held a sham referendum on the annexation of the Essequibo region of Guyana while issuing arrest warrants against several members of Machado's political advisors on false charges of money laundering.

Chairwoman Salazar, along with House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul and Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Member Jim Risch, has condemned the Supreme Court of Justice's ruling against Machado's candidacy. They stand united in their efforts to support Machado and ensure that transparent democratic elections can take place in Venezuela.

To watch the full roundtable discussion and hear from Machado and Salazar, click HERE.

To read the full remarks of Salazar and Machado in Spanish, click HERE.