Central Louisiana News

U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Ben Cardin (D-MD), and Marco Rubio (R-FL) issued a joint statement on May 30, 2024, addressing the ongoing persecution of human rights and political activists by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s regime. This statement comes ahead of the July 28th presidential election in Venezuela.

"A marked increase in the persecution of civil society, human rights defenders, and political activists in Venezuela in recent months is both unacceptable and detrimental to Venezuelan democracy, particularly ahead of the July 28th election. The ongoing political persecution of Maria Corina Machado and her team, the arrest of members of her campaign, the refusal to provide safe passage out of the country for democratic opposition members that have sought refuge in the Argentine embassy, the repeated transfer of political prisoners from house detention to centers with brutal human rights conditions, and recent reports of torture against military political prisoners are just some examples. These actions directly undermine conditions required for a free and fair presidential election," said the senators.

"We strongly condemn this dangerous environment of intimidation, which erodes the credibility of the ongoing electoral process, leaving us with little doubt that the July 28th election will not meet conditions to be free, fair, nor democratic. We also call for the immediate closure of all political prisons and torture centers in Venezuela, as well as the immediate release of all political prisoners," continued the senators.

"It is critical that the Biden administration impose individual sanctions on officials involved in detaining, trying, and torturing political prisoners in Venezuela, including judges, clerks, prison guards, interrogators, and anyone who played a role in such actions," concluded the senators.

Senator Cassidy has consistently advocated for free and fair elections in Venezuela. Earlier this year, following María Corina Machado's disqualification from participating in the presidential election, Cassidy demanded President Biden impose sanctions against Maduro's regime due to non-compliance with tenets of an agreement made in Barbados. In April 2024, Cassidy released a joint statement condemning Maduro’s continued attempts to repress Machado.

In 2023 Cassidy introduced the Venezuelan Democracy Act aimed at making U.S. sanctions on Venezuela conditional on specific democratic progress. Additionally he along with 19 colleagues sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressing concerns about potential issues surrounding Venezuela's upcoming presidential elections.