WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, following the Venezuelan presidential election that was neither free nor fair, Senator Rick Scott joined Senator Marco Rubio and Senators Bill Cassidy, John Kennedy, Michael Bennet, Peter Welch, Pete Ricketts, John Cornyn, Tim Scott and Representatives Carlos Giménez, Jenniffer González-Colón, María Elvira Salazar, Ruben Gallego, Chris Smith and Mario Díaz-Balart in a joint statement following the criminal and illegitimate Maduro narco-regime claiming victory in this sham presidential election.

Additionally, earlier this afternoon, Senator Scott sent a letter to President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris urging their administration to express unwavering support for Venezuelans in the fight for freedom in the aftermath of dictator Nicolás Maduro’s corrupt attempt to maintain power following Sunday’s election. Senator Scott has repeatedly slammed Biden-Harris sanctions relief that has benefitted the Maduro regime in exchange for a false promise for free and fair elections. Since the agreement was not met, Senator Scott is demanding the Biden-Harris administration own up to its mistakes and immediately reimpose sanctions on Maduro and his thugs.

The members wrote, “To no one’s surprise, dictator Nicolás Maduro has once again stolen a presidential election. However, what the narco-regime will never steal is the Venezuelan people’s desire to return to democracy and live in freedom after decades of tyranny. We must prioritize uniting the free world in rejecting these sham election results and securing the release of the more than 300 Venezuelans that remain arbitrarily detained in torture centers as political prisoners. The Maduro dictatorship is experiencing an internal fracture, and members of the dictatorship know their status quo, which is filled with incompetence, is no longer sustainable. There is massive discontent in the streets of Venezuela, and everyday citizens have stood in support of opposition leaders María Corina Machado and Edmundo Gonzalez. Let there be no doubt: the countries and international organizations backing this fraud of unimaginable proportions must be held accountable, as should members of the narco-regime and its ‘National Electoral Council’.”

Since the Biden-Harris administration's failed deal with Maduro was first announced, Senator Scott has put pressure on the White House to stand up for freedom and democracy in Venezuela. See the Senator’s actions below:

• Sen. Rick Scott Calls on Biden-Harris Admin to Reimpose Sanctions on Maduro Ahead of Venezuelan Elections
• Sen. Rick Scott: Reported Biden-Maduro Deal Disastrous for Freedom & Democracy in Venezuela
• Sen. Rick Scott to POTUS: Recognize María Corina Machado, Don't Trust Maduro to Uphold His Election Agreement
• Sen. Rick Scott, Sen. Marco Rubio & Colleagues Introduce Reauthorization to Preserve Sanctions Against Maduro Regime
• Sen. Rick Scott Calls for Passage of Resolution Recognizing María Corina Machado as Venezuela’s Official Presidential Opposition Candidate
• Sen. Rick Scott Leads Rally in Support of Venezuelan Opposition Presidential Candidate María Corina Machado
• Sens. Rick Scott, Marco Rubio & Colleagues: The Time to Act on Venezuela is NOW
• Sen. Rick Scott, Marco Rubio & Colleagues to Biden: Designate Tren de Aragua as a Transnational Criminal Organization
• Sen. Rick Scott Demands President Biden Reimpose Sanctions Against the Maduro Regime
• As Biden Moves to Shut Down NPR-Alaska, Sens. Rick Scott, Dan Sullivan & Colleagues Warn Biden Not To Renew Oil Sanctions Relief For Venezuela’s Dictatorship

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