Senator Marco Rubio of Florida is urging President Biden to reinstate sanctions on the Venezuelan regime after the dictatorship failed to release U.S. hostages.
The Biden Administration had established a deadline of November 30, 2023, for the narco-regime of Venezuela under the dictatorship of Maduro to release American hostages and allow opposition leader María Corina Machado, who won the primary elections in October by an overwhelming margin, to challenge Maduro in the general election.
The White House eased sanctions on Venezuela’s oil sector after Maduro agreed in principle to allow a competitive presidential election to proceed in the coming year. However, the U.S. government set two conditions for the sanctions relief.
Read: State Of Florida Grapples With Physician Shortage
Firstly, Maduro must begin the release of all American hostages currently detained in the country. This includes three designated as wrongfully detained and others who have been held captive since the October agreement.
Secondly, Maduro must define a specific timeline and process for the reinstatement of all candidates who want to run for president, ensuring their freedom of movement and physical safety.
The Venezuelan dictatorship responded to the U.S. government’s deadline with no action on hostages and performative steps on elections.
During a Senate Committee on Appropriations hearing, Secretary Blinken affirmed that the Biden Administration would “take necessary action” if the ban against Venezuela’s opposition leader remained.
U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) released a statement urging the Biden Administration to reinstate sanctions against Maduro, saying, “Maduro lied to the Biden Administration. It is time for President Biden to reverse his failed strategy and reimpose sectoral sanctions against the criminal Maduro narco-regime until there is real movement by Maduro to release U.S. citizens and hold truly free and fair elections. Concessions to the Venezuelan dictator have only emboldened him and his thugs.”
“The U.S. must advance a policy that supports free, fair, multiparty, and democratic elections in Venezuela. The Venezuelan people made their voices heard during the opposition’s primary elections. As such, María Corina Machado must be permitted to run for the presidency without any restrictions. Our nation must remain firm on the importance of the immediate and unconditional release of all U.S. hostages, political prisoners, and prisoners of conscience,” Rubio added.
Read: Duke Energy Florida OK’d To Collect $91.9 Million In Hurricane Idalia Costs From Customers
The Role of María Corina Machado
María Corina Machado, a leading opposition candidate, is considered the most viable competitor to Maduro in a free and democratic election.
The Biden administration has emphasized the importance of including Machado in the electoral process. Juan Gonzalez, senior director for the Western Hemisphere at the National Security Council, publicly stated that her participation is crucial for a genuinely competitive election.
The Commitments Made by Maduro
Throughout the year, negotiations between the Maduro regime and the Biden administration took place, resulting in an accord signed in Barbados.
This agreement outlined several commitments that Maduro was expected to fulfill, including allowing any opposition leader to compete in the election, implementing reforms to the electoral system, permitting international observers, and releasing all political prisoners.
In exchange, the U.S. granted temporary licenses for certain transactions involving Venezuela’s oil and gas sector and authorized the operations of state-run Minerven, a previously sanctioned gold-mining enterprise.
Signs of Non-Compliance
Despite the concessions made by the U.S., the Maduro regime has shown few signs of upholding its side of the agreement.
Instead of lifting the ban on top opposition leaders from running for public office, the Venezuelan government, through its Supreme Court, issued a ruling that invalidated the results of a primary election held by the opposition.
This decision effectively wiped out Machado’s landslide victory, raising concerns about Maduro’s intentions.
International Response and Economic Impact
The easing of sanctions led to tentative deals between the Maduro regime and international oil companies, including Repsol, Eni, Maurel & Prom, China Petroleum, and Indian Oil.
These companies expressed interest in contributing to Venezuela’s oil production, potentially boosting the country’s economy. However, the lack of progress in meeting the agreed-upon conditions raises concerns among potential investors and partners, as it undermines the credibility and stability of the Venezuelan regime.
Read: Alabama Rep. Strong Grills Witness Calling For More Immigration “Where Do You Want Them”
The Humanitarian Crisis and Regional Concerns
Beyond the political implications, Venezuela is grappling with a severe humanitarian crisis. The country faces widespread poverty, food and medicine shortages, and mass migration.
The region’s stability is also at stake, as neighboring countries bear the burden of accommodating the influx of Venezuelan refugees.
The international community is closely watching the situation, with hopes that a democratic transition can alleviate the suffering of the Venezuelan people and restore stability to the region.
The Road to Democracy
The struggle for democracy in Venezuela is far from over. The Biden administration’s firm stance on the release of U.S. hostages and democratic reforms highlights the urgency of the situation.
As the November 30 deadline has passsed, the international community waits to see if Maduro will fulfill his commitments or face the reimposition of sanctions.
The fate of Venezuela hangs in the balance, with the hopes of its people and the stability of the region at stake.
Android Users, Click To Download The Free Press App And Never Miss A Story. Follow Us On Facebook and Twitter. Sign up for our free newsletter.
We can’t do this without your help; visit our GiveSendGo page and donate any dollar amount; every penny helps