Central Louisiana News

U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), Marco Rubio (R-FL), and Rick Scott (R-FL) have called on President Biden to immediately impose sanctions against Venezuelan President Maduro. The senators argue that the Maduro regime has failed to follow the tenets of the Barbados agreement, citing the disqualification of opposition candidate María Corina Machado from the upcoming presidential elections and the arbitrary arrests of members of her team.

The senators express concern that the Biden administration has granted concessions to the Maduro regime, such as the release of Maduro's nephews, lifting sectoral sanctions, and granting clemency to Maduro's crony, Alex Saab. They emphasize the need to hold the regime accountable for subverting democratic elections and maintain the credibility of the United States.

"In order to maintain the United States' credibility, and hold the regime accountable for its decision to subvert democratic elections, we urge you to immediately reimpose the sanctions in place before the declaration of the Barbados agreement on October 17, 2023," wrote the senators in a letter to President Biden.

The senators also highlight the impact of the Venezuelan crisis on national security and domestic economic security. They argue that the actions of the Maduro regime contribute to the ongoing opioid and border crisis, overwhelming law enforcement and communities throughout the nation. They emphasize the need to address the Venezuelan crisis collaboratively to ensure the stability of the region.

The senators conclude their letter by calling on President Biden to uphold the commitment made to Congress and the opposition parties of Venezuela, and to reevaluate the approach towards Venezuela policy.

The situation in Venezuela has drawn attention from various authoritarian actors operating in the region, including the People's Republic of China, the Russian Federation, Iran, and transnational criminal groups. The senators warn that continued authoritarian rule in Venezuela provides a dangerous foothold for these actors and poses a direct threat to national security and domestic economic security.

The senators stress the urgency of the situation and urge President Biden to take action to achieve free and fair elections in Venezuela before the end of the year. They stand ready to address the challenges posed by the Venezuelan crisis collaboratively.

The call for sanctions against President Maduro has gained support from lawmakers who are concerned about the regime's violation of democratic principles and the potential consequences for national security. The Biden administration will need to carefully consider the senators' request and determine the appropriate course of action in response to the ongoing crisis in Venezuela.