North Miami-Dade News

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar (R-FL), along with high-ranking member Joaquín Castro (D-TX), Representative Debbie Wasserman-Schultz (D-FL), and Representative Michael Waltz (R-FL), expressed their deep concerns over the closure of the UN Human Rights Office in Venezuela by the Maduro regime.

"We are deeply concerned by reports that the Maduro regime has ordered the United Nations Human Rights Office to suspend its operations and leave the country, based on spurious allegations that it works on behalf of 'coup plotters and terrorist groups'," stated the group.

The congress members highlighted the recent actions of the Maduro regime, including the reinstatement of a ban on opposition leader María Corina Machado's presidential candidacy and the forced disappearance of pro-democracy activists and human rights defenders.

Referring to the UN investigative mission's documentation of human rights abuses in Venezuela, the group condemned the regime's blatant disregard and systematic violation of Venezuelan rights. They called for the immediate reinstatement of the mission and urged the swift approval of the bipartisan and bicameral "AFFECT Human Rights in Venezuela Act" to show U.S. support for the Venezuelan people.

The "AFFECT Human Rights in Venezuela Act" aims to hold the Maduro regime accountable for its crimes against humanity and address Venezuela's decade-long political and economic crisis while providing immediate support to alleviate the suffering of Venezuelans.

The legislation, which directs U.S. support towards multilateral efforts to address the crisis in Venezuela, can be accessed online.