MÉRIDA, Mexico – U.S. Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris sent a letter to opposition leaders in Venezuela in which she praised the courage of the people.
“Recent events surrounding the July 28 presidential elections highlight the urgent need for transparency and accountability in the Venezuelan electoral system,” reads the letter addressed to María Corina Machado and Edmundo González.
“I strongly urge the security forces in Venezuela to show restraint, respect the human rights and freedom of expression of all Venezuelans, and protect the Venezuelan people from political threats and attacks,” reads another part of the letter.
“The violation of these rights only deepens the crisis and hinders efforts towards a peaceful and democratic transition,” he added.
Opposition leader María Corina Machado thanked the vice president for “defending the democratic values that are the spirit of our victory.”
“We are moved that the leaders of the democratic world recognize the courage and determination of the Venezuelan people to be free. Knowing that we are not alone gives us even more strength. Venezuelans are united like never before,” Machado said in X.
Edmundo González: “It is time for us to fight together for our right to choose”
This Friday the candidate Edmundo González He also sent a message to the Venezuelans urging them to “fight for the right” to choose.
González called on the international community to remain firm “in the defense of our democracy and to continue demanding transparency in the actions of State bodies and respect for the election results.”
“The peace of our country is at stake. It is time for us to fight together for the right we have to choose, to alternate the leaders that we Venezuelans decide with our vote, to respect the sovereign will of the people and for it to be accepted by all,” reads the statement released on X.
Marco Rubio: “Edmundo González is the president-elect of Venezuela”
Cuban-American Senator Marco Rubio said he is leading “a bipartisan and bicameral statement in which we condemn the decision of the Maduro narco-regime to try to further legitimize its arbitrary grip on power and undermine the will of the Venezuelan people.”
The statement was also signed by Senators Tim Kaine, Rick Scott, Dick Durbin, Bill Cassidy and Michael Bennet, as well as Cuban-American Representatives Mario Díaz-Balart, María Elvira Salazar and Carlos Giménez.
“This is not about political ideology, it is about defending the will of the Venezuelan people who overwhelmingly voted for Edmundo Gonzalez as their president-elect, under the leadership of opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, and who is due to be sworn in on January 10, 2025. The U.S. must use all available authorities to hold accountable those responsible for this undemocratic and illegitimate act.” It is read in the document.
On Thursday, the Electoral Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ) of Venezuela ccontrolled by Chavismo, it ratified Maduro’s victory, thus consummating the electoral fraud.
The court suggested that the electoral body publish the minutes that the opposition has already gathered and published proving Edmundo González’s victory.
