U.S. Senator Rick Scott has issued a stern demand for immediate action from President Joe Biden to reimpose sanctions on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
In an April 4. statement, Senator Scott expressed strong condemnation, accusing President Biden and his administration of being deceived by Maduro and his associates. “It is absolutely pathetic that the president of the United States ran into the arms of a…dictator and did exactly what they wanted,” Scott remarked.
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The U.S. advocated for fair elections in Venezuela, supported by the Barbados Accord, which aimed to ensure a democratic process with opposition candidates. In return, it eased sanctions on Venezuela’s oil and gold sectors. But Maduro did not keep his word. Venezuela’s High Court upheld a June 2023 ban on opposition presidential candidates, including leading contender Maria Corina Machado. Machado won the U.S.-backed opposition primary in October 2023. Her support for U.S. sanctions against Maduro and his administration was said to have irked him. And on Jan. 31, the U.S. reimposed some sanctions on Venezuela. The full brunt of the sanctions are expected to be reinstated this month.
Highlighting Maduro’s failure to fulfill promises regarding electoral integrity and collaboration with hostile regimes, Scott emphasized the urgency of reinstating sanctions.
Scott criticized the decision to lift sanctions, characterizing it as a grave error that undermines the fight for freedom and democracy.
“President Biden failed the American people and the Venezuelan people. It’s time for him and his administration to acknowledge their failure and immediately reimpose sanctions on Nicolás Maduro,” he asserted.“Joe Biden has been a disaster for the fight for freedom and democracy in Venezuela, but we will continue working alongside the freedom-loving Venezuelan people to bring democracy back to their country.”
