Even with scores of sanctions levied against the Nicolas Maduro regime in Venezuela, the Trump administration can’t seem to catch a break from its detractors over their handling of the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela.
South Florida House Democrats, Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Donna Shalala, Lois Frankel, Ted Deutch, and Debbie Mucasel-Powell, have been pressing, demanding President Trump give immediate Temporary Protective Status (TPS) to Venezuelans exiles.
Rep. Mucarsel-Powell, an immigrant from Equador, has been one most, if not the most expressive Democrats of the group.
“It has been a year since Juan Guaidó was recognized by 65 countries, including the United States, as the legitimate interim president of Venezuela, yet Maduro still sits in Miraflores,” said Mucarsel-Powell in a statement “The lack of strategy and transparency from the Trump administration has done little to address one of the worst humanitarian crises in our hemisphere or to reassure the more than two hundred thousand Venezuelans in Florida that the administration is taking this seriously.
That is why I am continuing to call on Secretary Pompeo to work with Congress to craft a clear and robust long-term strategy for helping Venezuela’s safe return to a true democracy. I have helped lead the effort to secure humanitarian aid for Venezuela, to extend TPS to Venezuelans, and stand ready to assist in any other way I can.”
Rep. Mucarsel-Powell continues to say that the Trump administration has “yet to use every diplomatic tool available to exert pressure” on countries supporting the Maduro regime. Mucarsel-Powell specifically named Russia, Turkey, and Cuba.
Venezuela’s interim President Juan Guaido is scheduled to arrive in Florida this upcoming weekend, where he will surely meet with President Trump and members of the U.S. Congress.
