Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) and some of his colleagues in the upper chamber released a bipartisan statement condemning Venezuelan President and dictator Nicolas Maduro.
Maduro has arrested and imprisoned political opponents and has even barred opposition leaders such as María Corina Machado from holding office for 15 years.
Additionally, the Maduro regime has issued “bogus warrants” to arrest political opponents as well.
The statement made by Sen. Rubio and his colleagues mentioned that they were “extremely concerned” about the warrants issued by the Maduro regime.
“We are extremely concerned over recent arrest warrants issued by the Maduro regime against members of María Corina Machado’s political party and coalition,” said Sen. Rubio and others. “This brazen act is a clear violation of the spirit of the Barbados Agreement and another indication that the Maduro regime is not following through on its commitment to free and fair elections in 2024.”
They continued stating that the United States should “respond accordingly” to these threats.
“Additionally, the blatant refusal to release political prisoners or American hostages, the continued arrest warrants against other key opposition leaders, and the petulant saber rattling against Guyana show that the Maduro regime, far from taking steps towards the meaningful return of democracy, is moving towards an even more brutal dictatorship,” said the senators. “The U.S. and our democratic partners should respond accordingly using all diplomatic tools, including imposing select sanctions.”
Including Rubio, the statement was issued by Senators Ben Cardin (D-MD), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), Alex Padilla (D-CA), John Cornyn (R-TX), Peter Welch (D-VT), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), and Laphonza Butler (D-CA).
Recently, oil sanctions were to be eased as long as the Maduro regime lifted its ban on allowing opposition leader Maria Corina Machado to continue her candidacy.
The deadline for action was Nov. 30. A deal was struck, pushing the deadline to Dec. 15.
However, Sen. Rubio believes that Maduro’s inaction should call for a reinstatement of the sanctions.
In a statement, the Florida senator said President Biden should reverse course.
“Maduro lied to the Biden Administration,” said Sen. Rubio. “It is time for President Biden to reverse his failed strategy and reimpose sectoral sanctions against the criminal Maduro narco-regime until there is real movement by Maduro to release U.S. citizens and hold truly free and fair elections. Concessions to the Venezuelan dictator have only emboldened him and his thugs.”
He continued by saying that America’s focus should “remain firm” on bringing American hostages home.
“The U.S. must advance a policy that supports free, fair, multiparty, and democratic elections in Venezuela. The Venezuelan people made their voices heard during the opposition’s primary elections,” Rubio said. “As such, María Corina Machado must be permitted to run for the presidency without any restrictions. Our nation must remain firm on the importance of the immediate and unconditional release of all U.S. hostages, political prisoners, and prisoners of conscience.”
It will be interesting to see how Dictator Maduro approaches the Dec. 15 deadline fast approaching.
