Sen. Marco Rubio and Sen. Jim Risch (R-ID) introduced legislation that would force Venezuela to take steps to secure pro-democracy institutions and rule of law, or else the United States will not lift any sanctions upon Maduro and his regime. The bill is known as the Venezuelan Democracy Act.
In the past, Republicans have reprimanded President Joe Biden (D) for his willingness to negotiate with oil-rich socialist and totalitarian nations such as Venezuela and Iran when oil prices were at all-time highs.
“Following a series of concessions from the Biden Administration to the criminal narco-regime in Venezuela, we must reaffirm our commitment to prioritize a designated date for free and fair presidential elections for a democratic transition of power and the full respect for human rights of the Venezuelan people. We must understand that Venezuela is in the hands of a murderous thug and an irregular militia involved in transnational crimes,” stated Sen. Rubio.
Sen. Risch looks to make this a priority in the upcoming weeks and months as the new Republican majority in the House takes control in early January.
“The Venezuelan people have suffered for too long under Nicolás Maduro and his oppressive, socialist regime. As I’ve said before, any change in U.S. policy toward Venezuela must be contingent on a transfer of power from the Maduro regime to a democratically elected government. As such, my legislation would condition the removal of U.S. sanctions on the Maduro regime on a standards-based transition to democratic order in Venezuela. I look forward to advancing these efforts in the coming weeks and months,” said Sen. Risch.
The bill openly calls out the Maduro regime for the various human rights violations it has committed, as well as looking to force the Venezuelan government to ensure that humanitarian aid is not restricted from its people.
