Senator Rick Scott (R-FL), like most Republicans, was ecstatic with the Inauguration of President Donald Trump (R) on Monday. At the event, Sen. Scott brought Edmundo González, whom the United States recognizes as the democratically elected President of Venezuela.
The Florida senator shared that he was "proud" to have President González with him at the Inauguration to witness a peaceful transfer of power.
“I’m incredibly proud to attend President Donald Trump’s inauguration today, and to be joined by Venezuela’s President-elect Edmundo González," said Sen. Scott. "President-elect González was elected by the people of Venezuela, under the leadership of María Corina Machado, and is a beacon of hope for a new day of freedom for those oppressed by murderous dictator Nicolás Maduro.
Senator Rick Scott
Furthermore, Sen. Scott mentioned that he looks forward to President Trump and his administration standing with the Venezuelan people to "fight for freedom and democracy" and hold Dictator Maduro accountable.
"As Maduro deprives the Venezuelan people of their rightful leader, openly threatens the United States and holds Americans hostage, we must make clear the United States will hold Maduro accountable and will not take these threats lightly," said Scott. "As governor and senator, I’ve stood with the people of Venezuela in their fight for freedom and democracy, and I’m looking forward to having a strong partner in President Trump back in the White House who will do the same.”
Furthermore, Senators Scott, Bill Cassidy (R-LA), and Ted Cruz (R-TX) recently reintroduced legislation upping the reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Venezuelan dictator, Nicolas Maduro. The current maximum reward is $15 million, but it would increase to $100 million with the bill's passage.
The bill is known as the Securing Timely Opportunities for Payment and Maximizing Awards for Detaining Unlawful Regime Officials (STOP MADURO) Act. The reward money would not be sourced from taxpayer dollars, but rather from already-held seized assets from the Maduro regime. The U.S. Attorney's Office in South Florida has already confiscated $450 million.
Sen. Cruz mentioned that this legislation increases the pressure on Maduro in a "badly needed effort" for accountability.
“Nicolás Maduro is a corrupt dictator and thug. The STOP MADURO Act helps badly needed efforts to hold him and his regime accountable," said Sen. Cruz. "I’m proud to cosponsor this effort, and will continue to work with the incoming Trump administration and my colleagues in Congress on these issues.”
Addressing Latin America's problems could very well be the Trump administration's bread and butter, considering the politicians Trump has put around him. With newly confirmed Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Sen. Scott, and members of the House of Representatives such as Congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL) and others tackling this issue for years, change in Venezuela could come.
