Ranking Member Shaheen, Senators Scott, Kaine, Curtis Statement of Support for the Venezuelan People

WASHINGTON—Today, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Rick Scott (R-FL), Tim Kaine (D-VA) and John Curtis (R-UT), released the following statement of support for the Venezuelan people:

“As the one-year anniversary of Nicolas Maduro’s theft of the Venezuelan presidential election approaches, we reaffirm our unequivocal condemnation of the Maduro regime’s ongoing repression and human rights violations. In July 2024, millions of Venezuelans turned out and delivered a clear mandate for change – overwhelmingly electing democratic opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia and the movement started by Maria Corina Machado. Rather than respect the outcome, the Maduro regime doubled down on its tired autocratic playbook and abandoned even the veneer of a democratic outcome—one year later still refusing to release any of the promised ballots that they argue would have affirmed Maduro’s victory. The truth today is as clear as it was as the returns poured in on July 28, 2024: the Venezuelan people yearn for new leadership and a democratic country that is once again part of the international community. Today, as ever, we recognize the resilience of the Venezuelan democratic opposition, and we stand united with the Venezuelan people and their aspirations for a brighter future.”

This week, Senators Shaheen and Scott met virtually with Maria Corina Machado to voice their continued support for her and the Venezuelan people.

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