Statements by Mucarsel-Powell, Shalala, Wasserman Schultz on mass protest against Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela and the appointment of Juan Guaidó as interim president

Statement

Sixty-one years ago, the people of Venezuela took a stand and overthrew the former Venezuelan dictator, General Marcos Pérez Jiménez. While Venezuelans take to the streets today to demand democracy and protest against the Maduro regime, calls are heard for a return to democratic ideals throughout the country and the world. Below is a statement from Representatives Donna Shalala (FL-27), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23) and Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (FL-26):

"I have always joined the millions of Venezuelans in recognizing the National Assembly as the only institution of legitimate government in Venezuela and in calling for new elections," said Rep. Mucarsel-Powell. "I hope that this step of invoking the constitution of the country to declare Maduro as illegitimate president and having interim president Juan Guaidó legitimately fill the vacancy will bring Venezuela closer to restoring stability and democracy in his country. Venezuelan, those who have remained in the country and those who have fled, have suffered tremendously and Maduro can not lead the country anymore.

"I urge Maduro to respect the right to peaceful protest. To all the people of Venezuela who demand freedom and a return to democracy, I want you to know that they have a friend and ally in Miami, we are with you, "said Rep. Shalala." Together with my colleagues from South Florida in the House of Representatives, we will continue accompanying them and calling Maduro and his dictatorial state, a narco regime. His authoritarian government has made the poorest, the hungriest, the sickest and the least free. "

"I join my colleagues in the South Florida Congress and leaders around the world to recognize Juan Guaidó as interim president of Venezuela, emphatically reiterating the illegitimacy of Nicolás Maduro and calling for Venezuela to hold new, open and fair elections." said Rep. Wasserman Schultz. "Summoning the national Constitution and recognizing Juan Guaidó as interim president can make Venezuela move towards a more peaceful, stable and democratic government. I continue to support the Venezuelan people, both here in the United States and those who fight for freedom in Venezuela. We are with you ".

"The people of Venezuela have made it clear that they will not tolerate Maduro's seizure of power and authoritarian rule, and I am by his side to recognize Juan Guaidó as interim president," said Rep. Shalala. "The National Assembly, the only legitimate democratic institution in Venezuela, chose to invoke the constitution of the country and declare Maduro illegitimate, creating a vacancy in the presidency that will occupy Guaidó until the new elections formally declares a new president. I hope to join my colleagues, the administration and the legitimate leaders, defined by the Constitution of Venezuela, while we work for true freedom for the Venezuelan people. "

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