Mario Díaz-Balart U.S. House of Representatives from Florida | Official U.S. House Headshot
Mario Díaz-Balart U.S. House of Representatives from Florida | Official U.S. House Headshot
On August 2, 2024, U.S. Representatives Mario Díaz-Balart (FL-26) and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25), co-chairs of the Congressional Venezuela Democracy Caucus, filed a bipartisan House resolution to express solidarity with the Venezuelan people and condemn Nicolás Maduro’s actions regarding the Venezuelan Presidential election.
The resolution recognizes Edmundo González as the rightful president-elect of Venezuela, denounces Maduro’s election fraud and violent repression of democracy protesters, and calls for new U.S. sanctions and international pressure to push Maduro to accept the will of the Venezuelan people and allow a peaceful transition of power.
They were joined by 28 bipartisan colleagues, including Representatives Michael McCaul, Frederica Wilson, Darren Soto, Carlos Gimenez, Kathy Castor, Michael Waltz, Jared Moskowitz, Maria Salazar, Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, Brian Mast, Lois Frankel, Chris Smith, Sylvia Garcia, Alex Mooney, Dina Titus, Jenniffer Gonzalez-Colon, Jim Costa, Bill Huizenga, Daniel Goldman Guy Reschenthaler Ruben Gallego Brad Schneider Vicente Gonzalez Gerry Connolly Andy Kim Juan Vargas Kathy Manning Norma Torres.
“Despite the grip of totalitarian rule," said Congressman Díaz-Balart. "The people of Venezuela refuse to let democracy die. Now more than ever," he continued. "The United States must strengthen measures against the dangerous anti-American Maduro regime which is closely allied to every U.S. adversary working against our national security interests." He emphasized that "the United States must stand in solidarity with the brave Venezuelan people who are struggling for democracy and freedom from Maduro’s brutal tyranny." According to Díaz-Balart: "This is not only a pivotal moment for Venezuela but also for those across our hemisphere and around the world who are struggling for basic human rights under repressive regimes — regimes that are aided by the Maduro dictatorship.”
Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz added: “Venezuelans courageously took to the ballot box to seek true legitimate representation after a lost decade under Maduro.” She highlighted that despite significant obstacles and personal risk: “Overwhelming majorities across the nation repudiated Maduro and chose democracy.” Wasserman Schultz stressed that “the violent repression of protestors’ demands for democracy must end" calling for "a peaceful transfer of power." She noted that while "the Biden-Harris Administration successfully forced Maduro to hold this election," there remains a need to apply further pressure on Maduro and his associates "to respect the will of the Venezuelan people or face consequences.”
The full text of the resolution can be found here.
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