Dear Mrs. Myers, Thank you for taking the time to contact me to express your concerns regarding the United States policy toward Venezuela. Venezuela is a rich country with large energy resources and an educated business class. However, the authoritarian policies of former President Hugo Chavez have crippled the country and led to corruption, income inequality, poverty, and instability. The Venezuelan government has also built troubling ties with the Iranian regime in attempts to expand its intelligence network throughout our hemisphere, facilitated money laundering activities that financed state sponsors of terrorism, and provided a safe haven for FARC narco-terrorists. Since President Nicolás Maduro has been in power, we have seen the continuation of Chavezs repressive policies. In recent weeks, the Maduro government has been attacking peaceful demonstrations in Venezuela. Maduros government and regime-backed thugs are responsible for at least 21 deaths, 260 unjust incarcerations and more than 260 injured people with no end in sight. This is why I introduced with Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) Senate Resolution 365 (S. Res.365) which passed the Senate unanimously on March 12, 2014. S. Res. 365 condemns Maduros wave of repression in Venezuela and calls for sanctions on regime officials. Recently, I spoke on the Senate floor regarding the violence in Venezuela. You can watch my speech here. Additionally, Sen Menendez and I introduced the Venezuela Defense of Human Rights and Civil Society Act of 2014 (S.2142). This legislation authorizes $15 million to defend human rights, support civil society organizations, strengthen good governance and rule of law. It also requires President Obama to impose sanctions on persons that have been involved in serious human rights violations against peaceful demonstrators and others in Venezuela. When brave people stand up to claim their universal rights as human beings in an effort to address their legitimate concerns about the direction of their country, they should not be met with bullets, and that is what is occurring in Venezuela. Every time that happens, our country, its citizens and our government need to be firmly on their side. As a member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, I will keep your thoughts in mind as we continue to consider our nations policies toward Venezuela. I look forward to addressing the concerns of the people of Florida, and I will continue to work to ensure that the United States remains a safe and prosperous nation. Sincerely, Marco Rubio United States Senator Like so many times before, our country is engaged in a robust debate about the future of Americas role in the world, I would encourage you to watch this speech I recently gave at the American Enterprise Institute, which outlines my vision of a foreign policy worthy of the American Dream. Each week I provide a weekly update on issues in Washington and ways in which my office can assist the people of Florida. Sign up here for updates on my legislative efforts, schedule of events throughout Florida, constituent services and much more. #SOSVenezuela
Posted on: Mon, 14 Apr 2014 15:44:32 +0000
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