Senator Marco Rubio, a Cuban-American, sent a message this Wednesday to the members of the Venezuelan Armed Forces, urging them to reflect and protect a populace demanding truth and seeking a peaceful transition following the recent presidential election results in the South American country.
"The only way for Nicolás Maduro to remain illegitimately in power will be through massive bloodshed. You, the police, will be asked to kill hundreds of innocent countrymen," Rubio stated in a video posted on the social media platform X. "These people are not your enemies. They could be your family members, neighbors, or friends. They are compatriots who, like you, recently supported the Vinotinto," he added.
"The time has come to make a decision: Do you want to be a puppet of the dictatorship or do you want to truly serve your country? All of you must be clear that many of your comrades have refused to follow orders, and the institution faces a real danger," expressed the Republican senator.
He also mentioned that the uniformed officers have the power to decide whether their country will remain under international isolation, even without the support of the historical allies of the Chavista regime. "The only way for Maduro's regime to survive is through the mass killing of the Venezuelan people, but the only institution capable of preventing that catastrophe is you, who wear uniforms," he emphasized.
Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar, also Cuban-American, sent a message to Venezuelan Defense Minister General Vladimir Padrino López, urging him to honor the will of the people and recognize the opposition's victory. "You hold the future of Venezuela's freedom in your hands. Imprisoning María Corina Machado and Edmundo González or turning tanks on your own people who are merely demanding that the election results be respected is a grave mistake that your children, grandchildren, and future generations will pay for," the Florida representative stated.
Meanwhile, opposition leader María Corina Machado firmly spoke out this Wednesday following the recent elections, denouncing electoral fraud and violent repression by Maduro's regime. Machado declared, "Venezuela and the entire world know that violence is Maduro's regime's last resort," highlighting the desperate nature of the government's actions.
In an escalation of protests against the election results that awarded victory to Maduro, Venezuelans toppled a statue of dictator Hugo Chávez in Coro, Falcón state. Protesters gathered in Plaza Hugo Chávez, an emblematic site for Chavismo, and brought down a three-meter tall statue that had served as a focal point for political events in the region, reported La Tercera.
Similar situations were witnessed across the country, with people toppling statues of the former leader of the Bolivarian process. These images have been continuously shared on social media.
Key Questions on Venezuela's Political Crisis
The ongoing political crisis in Venezuela has raised important questions. Here are some key inquiries and their answers regarding the current situation.
Why did Marco Rubio address the Venezuelan Armed Forces?
Marco Rubio urged the Venezuelan military to protect their fellow citizens and avoid bloodshed, emphasizing their role in preventing Maduro from illegitimately staying in power.
What was María Elvira Salazar's message to General Vladimir Padrino López?
María Elvira Salazar called on General Vladimir Padrino López to respect the will of the Venezuelan people and recognize the opposition's victory, warning against actions that could harm future generations.
What actions did Venezuelans take in response to the election results?
In protest against the election results, Venezuelans toppled statues of Hugo Chávez across the country, symbolizing their rejection of Maduro's regime.