Central Louisiana News

On August 26, 2024, U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Rick Scott (R-FL), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Michael Bennet (D-CO), and U.S. Representatives Mario Díaz-Balart (R-FL-26) and María Elvira Salazar (R-FL-27) issued a statement condemning the Maduro regime after its Supreme Tribunal of Justice legitimized electoral fraud. The Venezuelan electorate voted for Edmundo González Urrutia as their president-elect nearly a month ago.

"Dictator Maduro and his enablers at the discredited Supreme Tribunal of Justice are, as expected, opting to validate a massive fraud," the statement read. "Every single democracy in the world has a moral duty to stand up against this aggression. This is not about political ideology; this is about defending the will of the Venezuelan people who voted overwhelmingly for Edmundo González as their duly elected president, under the leadership of opposition leader María Corina Machado, and who should be sworn in on January 10, 2025. The U.S. should use all available authorities to hold accountable those responsible for this undemocratic and illegitimate action."

Following the election, Senator Cassidy delivered a speech on the U.S. Senate floor addressing what he described as another stolen election by Nicolás Maduro's regime in Venezuela. He also joined 14 colleagues from both chambers of Congress in releasing a joint statement denouncing Maduro's claimed victory in what they termed a sham presidential election.

In addition to these actions, Senator Cassidy introduced a resolution recognizing Edmundo González Urrutia as Venezuela's President-elect and announced plans to introduce the Venezuela Advancing Liberty, Opportunity, and Rights Act (VALOR Act) when the Senate reconvenes in September. This legislation aims to establish U.S. policy supporting a transition to democratic order in Venezuela.