In a rare joint press conference in Miami, Florida, both of states U.S. Senators, Bill Nelson (D) and Marco Rubio (R), show solidarity with the people of Venezuelan community, and voiced their oppposition to the violence and human rights violations that Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro is perpetrating.
Rubio, who has been the loudest voices in support of the Venezuelan people, and against President Obama for his lack of action in response the Maduro regimes tactics.“There’s no indication the administration is even thinking too much about Venezuela right now, and that’s unfortunate.”-Sen. Marco Rubio
Rubio’s extended family has felt the repercussions of Maduro’s reign of terror in Venezuela. According to Jeanette Rubio (Rubio’s wife) her mother, who like many others, has seen her small import and export business suffer, as a result of Maduro’s actions as President of Venezuela.
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Now enter Senator Nelson. Nelson has not been as outspoken as Rubio, but has expressed his concerns about Maduro’s crimes, and during the press conference, said that Venezuela is “sliding further and further into the abyss” under Maduro’s reign.
Like Rubio, Nelson wants the Obama administration to take a “stronger position, impose sanctions,” and “yank” some visas.But Nelson’s tough talk about what he wants the Obama administration to do about Maduro seemed like lip service to reporters and the Venezuelans who showed up to the El Arepazo restaurant to hear him and Rubio speak.
During the press conference’s Q&A session with reporters, Nelson was asked about his statement that the U.S. needing to take a stronger position on Venezuela, and his thoughts about why President Obama has not been “very visible on this issue.”
Senator made his case for why the U.S should get involved, but then seemed to make excuses for the President’s soft position on Venezueal, by rattling off a list of other things that are currently on Obama’s “plate.”
When I asked him about those excuses in defense of the President, Nelson said that the President needed to give this issue attention, regardless of the reasons he gave for why the President was not engaged.You mentioned the President. This is where Senator Rubio and I will have a difference of style. I want the President to speak out, or the other authorities, such as the Secretary of State, but its not like that the President of the United States doesn’t have a lot on his plate. And he is dealing with a number of other crisis in the world, right now, simultaneously, in the Ukraine, in the Middle East, Israel and her neighbors, trying to get the troops out of Afghanistan, and multiple hot spots around the world. This is another one that should be attended to, and very strongly.-Senator Bill Nelson (D)
Watch the video, what Rubio’s facial expressions, as he listens to Nelson.