Rubio & Kaine Statement on Venezuela’s Opposition Primary Elections

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Tim Kaine (D-VA), the Ranking Member and Chairman, respectively, of the Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Transnational Crime, Civilian Security, Democracy, Human Rights, and Global Women’s Issues, released the following statement after Venezuelans both at home and in exile voted yesterday to elect their presidential primary nominee ahead of the 2024 election:

“Yesterday, Venezuelans worldwide made their voices heard during the opposition primary elections. We congratulate Maria Corina Machado on her victory and commend the tremendous effort of the Venezuelan people in making yesterday’s elections a reality, despite many challenges. The world has once again witnessed the courage of the people of Venezuela who voted, under current scrutiny and pressures. This democratic resistance effort has made it clear that Venezuelans, from all social classes within their homeland as well as abroad, want a change for their future. We call on the U.S. and the international community to help ensure that next year’s general elections are freely contested, including the participation of international observers, and for the regime to release all political prisoners.”

###