U.S. Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar Florida's 27th District | Official U.S. House headshot
U.S. Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar Florida's 27th District | Official U.S. House headshot
Today, Representative María Elvira Salazar (R-FL) welcomed Venezuela's President-elect Edmundo González Urrutia to her office at the United States Capitol. The meeting was attended by National Security Advisor Rep. Mike Waltz (R-FL) and Representatives Carlos A. Giménez (R-FL) and Mario Díaz-Balart (R-FL).
González Urrutia is set to assume office on January 10, 2025. However, he faces challenges from Nicolás Maduro's regime, which is reportedly using its resources to prevent a peaceful transition of power.
"Welcome to the United States of America!" said Rep. Salazar. "America stands strong with you and the millions more who voted for your presidency. We cannot let the socialists silence the will of the Venezuelan people."
In her meeting with González Urrutia, Representative Salazar emphasized her support for the democratic legitimacy of his election held on July 28. She also expressed solidarity with opposition leader María Corina Machado. Following his visit to Washington D.C., González Urrutia plans to continue his diplomatic tour in the Dominican Republic and Panama.
Congresswoman Salazar has been a vocal supporter of freedom in Venezuela since the election, backing opposition figures like González Urrutia and María Corina Machado. She has worked with colleagues from both parties to introduce legislation such as the REVOCAR Act and VALOR Act, aimed at cutting financial support for Maduro's regime amid increasing repression against opposition leaders in Venezuela.
Salazar represents Florida’s 27th Congressional District, home to a significant Venezuelan American community.
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