The senator from Florida, Rick Scottreaffirmed his support for the Venezuelan opposition leader, Maria Corina Machadoin a telephone conversation where he highlighted the progress of the Bolívar Law, approved by the House of Representatives to cut funding to the Chavista regime, and highlighted his fight for freedom in Venezuela.
“I had a great conversation with María Corina Machado about our fight for a new day of freedom in Venezuela“said Scott, who assured that”We are already seeing signs that Maduro’s days are numbered”.
The Bolivar Law establishes that the Government of USA will not be able to hire people or companies that maintain commercial operations with the “illegitimate Government of Nicolas Maduro”.
The legislation also extends to any successor government not recognized by the United States and must now be debated in the Senate.
Scott promised to continue his fight from Congress to end what he called the “oppression” of the Venezuelan regime.
“This measure seeks to isolate the regime and promote a change towards democracy in Venezuela”indicated the Republican senator.
Meanwhile, the Chavista foreign ministry condemned the approval of this law, calling it “criminal attack” and considering his name an offense to the memory of Simon Bolivar. According to the regime, the measures represent an imposition that violates the principles of sovereignty.
The advancement of this legislation coincided with an official statement from the Government of USA in which he recognized the Venezuelan opposition candidate, Edmundo González Urrutiaas the elected president of Venezuela after the elections of July 28.
“The Venezuelan people spoke out forcefully on July 28 and named Edmundo González president-elect. Democracy requires respect for the will of the voters“said Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
Edmundo González Urrutia thanked the United States for its recognition as elected president of Venezuela and stated that this decision recognizes the “sovereign will” of Venezuelans and “honors” the desire for change in his country.
“We deeply appreciate the recognition of the sovereign will of all Venezuelans. “This gesture honors the desire of our people for change and the civic feat that together we carried out on July 28.”wrote González Urrutia on his social network account X.
Joe Biden’s administration recognized González Urrutia as the winner of the elections on August 1, but had until now avoided declaring him “president-elect” of Venezuela.
The reason why the Biden Administration has decided to use this term is related to the imminence of the inauguration of Nicolás Maduro for a third term, which is scheduled for January 10.
Washington’s recognition comes after the European Parliament distinguished, on October 24, Edmundo González and the opposition leader María Corina Machado with the Sakharov Prize 2024which recognizes human rights, especially those of thought and expression.
After the recognition of González Urrutia by the United States, the president of the Chavista Assembly, Jorge Rodríguez, asked this Tuesday to judge and condemn him, María Corina Machado and three other opponents for “betrayal of the country”, a crime that in Venezuela can be punished with up to 30 years in prison.
Minutes earlier, Rodríguez proposed establishing “new ways” of acting against the “criminals” who request and celebrate international sanctions against the Caribbean country, in a “special law” that the Legislature plans to discuss starting Thursday and approve next week.
These regulations will establish perpetual political disqualification against those who comment on “acts as lascivious” as – he said – asking for sanctions, of which Rodríguez accused González Urrutia – who has been in Spain since September -, whom the largest opposition coalition points out as the real winner of the July elections
(With information from Europa Press and EFE)
