[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 200 (Tuesday, December 5, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S5762]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 486--COMMENDING MARIA CORINA MACHADO AS VENEZUELA'S 
              LEGITIMATE PRESIDENTIAL OPPOSITION CANDIDATE

  Mr. SCOTT of Florida (for himself and Mr. Rubio) submitted the 
following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign 
Relations:

                              S. Res. 486

       Whereas, on October 26, 2023, Maria Corina Machado was 
     declared the winner of the primary election that was held by 
     the National Primary Commission of Venezuela;
       Whereas the primary election drew more than 2,400,000 
     voters in Venezuela and abroad;
       Whereas the intent of the National Primary Commission was 
     to choose a candidate to oppose the illegitimate Nicolas 
     Maduro regime in Venezuela's 2024 presidential election;
       Whereas the National Primary Commission successfully 
     organized and carried out the primary election despite 
     obstacles, threats, and attacks by the illegitimate Maduro 
     regime;
       Whereas Maria Corina Machado deserves the recognition of 
     the United States and all democratic states as Venezuela's 
     duly chosen presidential opposition candidate;
       Whereas the Biden administration should rally the 
     international community to recognize Maria Corina Machado as 
     the legitimate leader of the Venezuelan opposition in 
     furtherance of the administration's stated goal of supporting 
     free and fair elections in Venezuela, and Venezuela's return 
     to democratic governance;
       Whereas the United States Government should not recognize 
     the results of the general elections in Venezuela unless 
     Maria Corina Machado is officially allowed to run as the 
     legitimate presidential candidate of the opposition in 
     Venezuela's 2024 presidential election without repression, 
     the election is free, fair, transparent, and internationally 
     supervised, and all political prisoners are released 
     unconditionally;
       Whereas the United States and all democratic states must 
     stand with the people of Venezuela in their quest to restore 
     civil, political, and human rights;
       Whereas, because the illegitimate Maduro regime has forced 
     millions of Venezuelans into exile and potential 
     disenfranchisement, the United States and the international 
     community must support the Venezuelan diaspora's voice and 
     its right to be recognized in Venezuela's 2024 presidential 
     election; and
       Whereas, on October 30, 2023, the illegitimate supreme 
     court of Nicolas Maduro declared the suspension of ``all 
     effects'' of the Venezuelan primary election, thereby 
     negating the deal between the Maduro regime and the 
     opposition that was facilitated by the United States 
     Government: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) commends Maria Corina Machado as Venezuela's official 
     presidential opposition candidate;
       (2) condemns efforts by the illegitimate Maduro regime to 
     prevent Maria Corina Machado from participating in 
     Venezuela's 2024 presidential election;
       (3) rejects the illegitimate Maduro regime's efforts to 
     carry out fraudulent presidential elections, including 
     barring the participation of the opposition candidate chosen 
     by the Venezuelan voters;
       (4) demands that the illegitimate Maduro regime permit 
     reputable election observers, such as the Organization of 
     American States, the European Union, the International 
     Republican Institute, the National Democratic Institute, and 
     other credible organizations;
       (5) calls for the immediate, unconditional release of all 
     political prisoners in Venezuela;
       (6) denounces efforts by the illegitimate Maduro regime to 
     persecute its political opponents, such as members of the 
     National Primary Commission;
       (7) condemns efforts by the illegitimate supreme court of 
     Venezuela to invalidate the primary election held by the 
     National Primary Commission; and
       (8) urges the President to strengthen and reimpose 
     sanctions because the negotiated conditions have not been 
     met.

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