Rubio, Menendez Meet With Venezuelan Human Rights Activist Lilian Tintori

U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Bob Menendez (D-NJ) today met with Venezuelan Ambassador to the United States Carlos Vecchio and Venezuelan Human Rights activist and wife of Venezuelan opposition leader Leopoldo López, Lilian Tintori. During their meeting the senators reiterated their strong support for Venezuelan interim President Juan Guaidó and for the restoration of democracy and human rights in Venezuela. They also noted the importance of releasing all political prisoners in Venezuela and the need for the international community to continue pressuring the usurping Maduro regime. Earlier this year, Rubio and Menendez introduced the Venezuela Emergency Relief, Democracy Assistance and Development (VERDAD) Act, the most comprehensive legislative effort to date to confront the crisis in Venezuela.

Broadcast quality b-roll of the meeting can be found here.

"Lilian personifies the courage of all Venezuelan women. As a tireless human rights activist, Tintori has helped many of her fellow Venezuelans get much-needed humanitarian aid," Rubio said. "Both outspoken critics of the Maduro crime family, Lilian and her husband Leopoldo López have faced political and judicial persecution. I am thankful for her commitment to restoring democratic order in Venezuela."

"Meeting with Lilian Tintori today was a powerful reminder that millions of Venezuelans continue to suffer as they watch their country sink deeper into the abyss of repression and desperation caused by Maduro and his cronies," said Menendez. "I stand firmly in support of Lilian, Leopoldo, their family, and the countless of Venezuelans who wish to see their country free from tyranny."

Rubio is Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Transnational Crime, Civilian Security, Democracy, Human Rights, and Global Women's Issues.

Menendez is Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

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