Salazar Introduces Resolution Recognizing María Corina Machado as Venezuela’s Only Legitimate Presidential Candidate

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Western Hemisphere Subcommittee Chairwoman María Elvira Salazar (FL-27) and Reps. Mario Díaz-Balart (FL-26) and Carlos Giménez (FL-28) introduced a resolution recognizing María Corina Machado as the legitimate presidential candidate for the upcoming Venezuelan elections. The Senate version was introduced by Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Rick Scott (R-FL).

After María Corina Machado won a commanding majority of the opposition vote, it is up to the United States to defend her against the Maduro regime’s incoming attacks.

“The Venezuelan opposition overwhelmingly chose María Corina Machado to lead the fight against the Maduro regime,” said Rep. Salazar. “The United States must offer its full support for her and her campaign as millions of Venezuelans around the world rally around her struggle against the dictatorship.”

Earlier this year, the Maduro regime agreed to allow María Corina Machado to run in the opposition presidential primary elections in exchange for loosened American sanctions on oil, gas, and gold exports from Venezuela. Immediately following María Corina’s victory, he nullified the result of the election in violation of his agreement with the United States.

Over time, the Maduro regime has become more desperate to distract from Maria Corina’s momentum. Maduro held a sham referendum on the annexation of the Essequibo region of Guyana while having his Attorney General Tarek William Saab issued an arrest warrant against several members of María Corina’s closest political advisors on spurious charges of money laundering.

These moves are part and parcel with the socialist agenda: If you can’t win the right way, cheat.

The United States must stand with María Corina Machado, the best chance Venezuela has to rid itself of more than two decades of Socialism.

“I am proud to introduce a resolution that strongly supports María Corina Machado as Venezuela’s legitimate presidential opposition candidate and condemns the Maduro regime’s attempts to exclude any legitimate opposition from political participation,” said Rep. Díaz-Balart. “The Venezuelan people, both in Venezuela and abroad, overwhelmingly endorsed María Corina Machado as the leading Venezuelan opposition candidate. I strongly opposed the Biden Administration’s decision to relax sanctions on the Maduro dictatorship, while establishing an arbitrary November 30, 2023 deadline, which was done purportedly to encourage free and fair elections in Venezuela. That deadline has passed, and the administration has failed to reimpose tough sanctions. The U.S. must stand unequivocally with the Venezuelan people in their brave struggle for freedom, human rights, and democratic government.”

“The murderous Maduro regime is threatening, intimidating, and silencing opposition candidate María Corina Machado,” said Rep. Giménez. “This blatant attack on democracy shows the regime’s desperation in the face of impending defeat. The Venezuelan people are determined to free themselves from communism with María Corina and the United States must stand with the freedom-loving people of Venezuela.”

To read the resolution, click here.

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