Press Release

March 24, 2021
Cardin, Rubio, Colleagues, Welcome Foreign Relations Committee’s Unanimous Passage of Venezuela Resolution

WASHINGTON U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), and Rick Scott (R-Fla.), welcomed the Senate Foreign Committee on Relations unanimous approval of a Rubio and Menendez led resolution (S.Res.44), which condemns last year’s fraudulent legislative elections by the Maduro regime. The bipartisan resolution also denounces the lack of free, fair, and transparent elections in Venezuela, as well as the continued erosion of the nation’s democracy and the rule of law. 

The resolution also highlights the continued recognition of Interim President Juan Guaidó as Venezuela’s leader in the absence of a democratically elected president in the nation and reiterates the lack of legitimacy of the Maduro regime’s National Constituent Assembly.

“The elections conducted in Venezuela last December were not free, fair, or transparent. Maduro’s government has committed crimes against humanity, and it does not represent the will of the Venezuelan people,” Cardin said. “We must continue to work with our international allies, including with the countries in the region who are generously hosting millions of Venezuelan refugees and migrants, to support the return of legitimate democracy, rule of law, and an end to the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela.”

“On various occasions, the Maduro narco-regime has attempted to silence the voices of the duly-elected members of the National Assembly,” Rubio said. “Today, the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations is sending an important message of support to Venezuela’s only democratic institution and to Interim-President Juan Guaidó. The Biden Administration must continue to advance U.S. policy that promotes Venezuela’s path to freedom and a return to democratic order following the regime’s latest sham legislative elections.” 

“I am proud to be joined by my colleagues in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in approving this important resolution to make clear there is absolutely no legitimacy to the Maduro regime’s fraudulent and illegitimate legislative elections,” Chairman Menendez said. “The continued manipulation of electoral processes and denial of free and fair elections has further violated Venezuelans’ basic rights while the country’s future hangs in the balance. Today, we speak with one voice in our Committee rejecting Maduro’s sham elections and reaffirming our steadfast solidarity with the Venezuelan people, who have suffered for far too long.” 

“The illegitimate Maduro regime continues to undermine Venezuelan democracy and deny the people of Venezuela core political freedoms,” Cruz said. “The recent elections were a sham. I’m proud to join this bipartisan effort denouncing the regime.”

“The Maduro regime continues to scheme at ways to undermine the legitimacy of the democratically elected Venezuelan National Assembly,” Durbin said. “This resolution rightly recognizes the only way forward in Venezuela is through a legitimate, free, and fair election that meets international standards. I am pleased this resolution rejecting the most recent sham elections in Venezuela passed out of Committee unanimously and will advocate for its quick passage in the Senate.”

“We know Maduro is a ruthless dictator that is committing a genocide against his own people,” Scott said. “Venezuela’s election, coordinated by the Maduro regime, is nothing more than a sham. I’m proud to stand with my colleagues and make clear that we won’t stand for it. The United States and freedom-loving countries around the world must continue their unwavering support of interim President Juan Guaidó and denounce Maduro’s murderous regime.”

 

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