WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Rick Scott released the following statement after President Trump signed an executive order imposing a total economic embargo against the government of Venezuela.

Senator Rick Scott said, “I’m proud the United States is taking a strong stand against Nicolas Maduro’s genocide. I’ve been calling for the Administration to use every option available – including an embargo – to end Maduro’s brutal regime, and I applaud the President and national security adviser John Bolton for taking action. Now the countries that continue to prop up Maduro, including Cuba, Russia and China, will face economic consequences for their support. This is an important day in the fight for freedom for the people of Venezuela and signals to Maduro and his supporters in Cuba, Russia and China that the United States will not tolerate genocide.”

In February, Senator Scott urged Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin to implement stronger sanctions on Cuba, Venezuela and their allies as the United States works to spread democracy in Latin America and across the globe. Senator Scott’s Venezuelan Contracting Restriction Act, which holds Maduro accountable by prohibiting federal agencies from doing business with anyone that supports the oppressive Maduro regime, was also included in the Senate’s fiscal year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act. Senator Scott signed similar legislation to hold Maduro accountable into law as Governor of Florida.

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