On Monday, President Maduro of Venezuela made headlines by threatening to “liberate” Puerto Rico from U.S. control. Puerto Rico Governor Jenniffer Gonzalez-Colon promptly called on President-elect Donald Trump to address these threats. “I am confident that your incoming administration will act quickly and make it clear to the Maduro regime that, under your guidance, the United States will safeguard American lives and sovereignty and will not surrender to the intimidation of small, murderous dictators,” she stated.
Additionally, congressional representatives expressed their opinions yesterday.
Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL) posted on Facebook, “I commend Governor Jenniffer González Colón for her stance against the ridiculous and pitiable threats from the Venezuelan dictator towards Puerto Rico, who clings desperately to his illegitimate authority.”
On X, Rep. Diaz-Balart alerted Maduro that “within a week, a new foreign policy will commence where liberty and U.S. national security interests take precedence. Allies will be treated as allies, and adversaries as adversaries. Maduro’s time is limited. If the Venezuelan dictator wishes to avoid sharing the fate of other dictators like Mussolini and Gaddafi, he should vacate Venezuela immediately.”
Rep. Darren Soto (D-FL) declared on X, “We will not stand for any threats against my family’s homeland of Puerto Rico.”
Rep. John Rutherford (R-FL) joined his Florida colleagues on X, asserting, “Maduro is a vicious dictator who detains & executes his opponents. Now, he dares to threaten Puerto Rico & U.S. national security. We must support Venezuelans striving for freedom & hold Cuba, China, Russia & Iran accountable for sustaining this murderous regime.
From the New York delegation, Rep. Dan Goldman (D-NY) expressed on X that “[t]hreats against American citizens cannot be ignored, especially when they originate from an unelected, illegitimate, and authoritarian ruler. If Trump truly stands for peace through strength, he must convey to Maduro that we defend the people of Puerto Rico.”
Puerto Rico’s representative
Puerto Rico’s newly appointed Resident Commissioner, Pablo Jose Hernandez, addressed the U.S. House of Representatives: “As Puerto Rico’s representative to the U.S. government, I want Mr. Maduro to know: a significant majority of Puerto Ricans favor maintaining a relationship of permanent union or permanent association with the United States, whether as a state or as a commonwealth. This same overwhelming majority also respects the right of a dedicated patriotic minority to advocate for the island’s independence through peaceful and democratic methods. Such tolerance for differing opinions is central to our democratic principles, something Mr. Maduro evidently fails to grasp. Mr. Maduro, the destiny of Puerto Rico will be determined by Puerto Ricans through peaceful and democratic processes, just as the future of Venezuela should be shaped by the Venezuelan populace in a comparable manner.”
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