FLORIDA - SENATOR RICK SCOTT FIGHTS FOR LATINOS!

 

In Case You Missed It! U.S. Sen. Rick Scott Continues the Fight For Freedom in Latin America

Throughout his time as Governor and now as U.S. Senator, Rick Scott has worked tirelessly to support the fight for freedom in Cuba, Venezuela and throughout Latin America. Senator Scott is focused on securing a stronger and more vibrant Latin America – with the understanding that ending the Cuban dictatorship will lead to greater stability and freedom for the entire region. Senator Scott continues to work closely with the Trump Administration, which has taken unprecedented steps to hold Maduro accountable for his crimes in Venezuela. The fight is not over, and the United States continues to stand with those fighting for freedom in Venezuela and throughout Latin America. As we mark the end of Hispanic Heritage Month this week, Senator Scott vows to continue working hard to honor the incredible contributions of the Hispanic community in our state and nation and fight for a free Latin America. Read more about Senator Scott’s efforts below.

Senator Rick Scott Urges Administration to Stand Strong and Take Action to Hold Cuban Regime Accountable In June, Senator Rick Scott urged the Trump Administration to continue to take concrete steps to hold the Cuban regime accountable, following their decision to revoke Marriott International’s license to operate in Cuba. Senator Rick Scott said, “I applaud the Trump Administration for taking important steps to hold the Cuban regime accountable, and for their commitment to freedom and democracy in our hemisphere. The decision to revoke Marriott International’s license to operate in Cuba sends a clear message that the United States is committed to fighting for a new day of freedom for Cuba and its people. The violence, instability and chaos we see in Latin America is directly tied to the oppressive Cuban regime, which continues to prop up dangerous dictators throughout the region, including Maduro in Venezuela and Ortega in Nicaragua. All U.S. companies should think twice before investing in Cuba. "Limiting the flow of money to Cuba and implementing more sanctions is critical to freeing Venezuela and protecting the national security of the United States. Today, I am urging the Administration to take a number of steps against the Cuban regime to continue the right for freedom." Read more HERE and the Spanish version HERE. Sen. Rick Scott Applauds President Trump and the Administration for Rolling Back Obama-Era Cuba Policies In September, Senator Rick Scott applauded the Trump Administration’s announcement of new travel restrictions and sanctions against the Cuban regime, including prohibiting American citizens from importing Cuban-origin alcohol and tobacco products in order to deny the regime of additional sources of revenue. Senator Rick Scott has been urging the Administration to continue to take concrete steps to hold the Cuban Regime accountable. Senator Rick Scott said, “I’m glad the Trump Administration is continuing to demonstrate their commitment to freedom and democracy in Latin America. I’ve been calling on the Administration to limit the flow of money to Cuba and implement tougher sanctions for some time and I’m glad they have taken action to deny the Cuban regime sources of revenue. Americans citizens should not be providing additional sources of revenue to a regime that uses its profits to oppress its own people and support murderous dictators like Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela. These new travel restrictions and sanctions roll back Obama-era policies of appeasement to the Castro regime. Cuba is the root of the evil we see in Latin America and we must continue to fight until we see a new day of freedom in our hemisphere. Read more HERE and the Spanish version HERE.

Sen. Rick Scott Applauds Administration for Charging Venezuelan Dictator Maduro with Narco-Terrorism In March, Senator Rick Scott released the below statement applauding the Department of Justice for charging Nicolás Maduro and 14 current and former Venezuelan officials with narco-terrorism, corruption, drug trafficking and other criminal charges. Senator Rick Scott said, “I’ve encouraged the Trump Administration to do everything in its power to hold Maduro accountable for his crimes and the genocide he is committing on the people of Venezuela. I am glad the Department of Justice is taking the historic step to indict Maduro. His brutal regime is crumbling and it’s time for him to back down. We will never stop fighting to free the people of Venezuela, and the United States will always stand with those fighting for freedom, democracy and human rights." Read more HERE and the Spanish version HERE.

Sen. Rick Scott Meets with Interim President Juan Guaidó in Miami In February, Senator Rick Scott joined Interim President of Venezuela Juan Guaidó and South Florida lawmakers at a rally to promote freedom in Venezuela. Senator Scott and Interim President Guaidó also met to discuss how the U.S. can continue to help the fight for freedom and democracy and end Maduro’s murderous regime. Senator Rick Scott said, “It was an honor to join Interim President Guaidó in Miami today as we continue working to bring freedom to the people of Venezuela. We will never stop fighting for an end to Nicolas Maduro’s brutal regime, and the United States will always stand with those fighting for freedom, democracy and human rights." Read more HERE.

Sen. Rick Scott to EU: Do More to Enforce Sanctions on Maduro Regime In February, Senator Rick Scott released the below statement following reports that Spain’s Transport Minister Jose Luis Abalos met with Maduro’s illegitimate vice-president, Delcy Rodriguez, in Spain this week. Members of Maduro’s ruthless regime are banned from entering the European Union (EU). During Senator Scott’s meeting with Interim President Juan Guaido on Saturday, Senator Scott discussed the need for the EU to do more to enforce sanctions against the Maduro regime. Senator Rick Scott said, “I called on the EU to join the United States and do more to help the Venezuelan people, and I was encouraged when the EU joined as a partner in this worldwide fight against evil. But allowing a Maduro official to enter the EU shows they are not strongly enforcing their own sanctions. More must be done. If we are serious about helping the people of Venezuela and getting Maduro to step aside, the EU needs to do a better job of enforcing their sanctions. And Spain, as a member of the EU, needs to do their part and not allow members of its government to legitimize Maduro’s regime. People are dying. Europe, the United States and freedom-loving nations around the world need to do everything in our power to isolate Maduro in Venezuela and cut off the supply of money from Cuba to Caracas." Read more HERE.

Senators Rick Scott and Marco Rubio Applaud Certification of Colombia in Fight Against Drug Trafficking In August 2019, Senators Rick Scott and Marco Rubio applauded President Trump’s Presidential determination certifying Colombia’s commitment to working with the United States to combat illegal drug trafficking. This announcement follows the Senators’ letter to the President urging him to certify the United States’ joint efforts with Colombia. Senators Scott and Rubio said, “President Trump’s certification of Colombia’s commitment to combat the illegal drug trade reiterates the joint effort between our nations in the fight against narco-trafficking in the Western Hemisphere. We welcome this certification as a step for both of our countries to continue working together to counter the threat of Maduro’s narco-terrorist tyranny in Venezuela." Read more HERE.

Sen. Rick Scott Applauds Pres. Trump Action to Restrict Travel to Cuba In June 2019, Senator Rick Scott released the following statement after President Trump’s Administration announced new restrictions on U.S. travel to Cuba, banning many education and recreational trips. Senator Rick Scott said, “Cuba continues to be the most powerful force propping up Nicolas Maduro as he starves and kills his own people. The Cuban Regime is a willing and active participant in Maduro’s genocide. The United States is right to take every action possible to cut off ties with Cuba. I applaud President Trump for taking this important step to restrict U.S. travel to Cuba. Money spent in Cuba goes directly to the Castro Regime and helps keep Maduro and his brutal regime in power. Limiting the flow of money to Cuba is critical to freeing Venezuela and protecting the national security of the United States." Read more HERE and the Spanish version HERE.

Sen. Rick Scott: United States Should Consider Naval Blockade on Cuba to Enforce Oil Sanctions In May 2019, Senator Rick Scott released the following statement on the continued oil deals between Venezuela and Cuba. Senator Rick Scott said, “It’s clear the sanctions meant to block the flow of oil from Venezuela to Cuba aren’t working. Cuba is the most powerful force propping up the Maduro Regime in Venezuela in large part because of the free oil they’re receiving in return. It’s oil for repression. Cutting off the supply of oil to the Castro Regime would be the most effective action we can take to end the brutal regime of Nicolas Maduro. "It’s clear that the United States needs to consider using naval assets to block the flow of oil between the two dictatorships. The President has floated the idea of a full embargo on Cuba. I agree with him wholeheartedly. We need to take action NOW to capitalize on Maduro’s weakness and end his brutal regime. Cut off Cuba, and you cut off the political forces supporting genocide in Venezuela." Read more HERE and the Spanish version HERE.

Sen. Rick Scott Introduces Bill to Stop the Flow of Money to the Cuban Regime On June 17, 2020, Senators Rick Scott, Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio introduced the Cut Profits to the Cuban Regime Act, which will require the Department of State to publish the list of countries that contract with the Cuban regime for their medical missions program, and to consider that a factor on their ranking in the State Department’s annual Trafficking in Persons report. The Cut Profits to the Cuban Regime Act: Requires the Department of State to publish the list of countries that contract with the Government of Cuba for their medical missions program (Cuban Doctor’s Program). Requires that such contracts are considered by the State Department as a factor in considering that country’s ranking for Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report. Read more HERE.  Sen. Rick Scott Introduces Amendment to Grant TPS to Venezuelans In September 2019, Senator Rick Scott introduced an amendment to Representative Diaz-Balart’s House-passed bill that would immediately grant Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to Venezuelans and make real reforms to the broken program. Unfortunately, Senate Democrats have continuously blocked Senator Scott’s proposal. Senator Scott’s amendment: • Grants TPS to Venezuelans for 18 months; • Requires Congressional approval for TPS extensions, no more than 18 months at a time; • Limits the ability of illegal aliens with no connection to the TPS designation to benefit from TPS; • Ensures that human rights violators identified under the Magnitsky Act are not eligible for TPS; • Includes provisions to distinguish that TPS does not count as an admission for purposes of the Immigration and Nationality Act; • Prevents TPS recipients from returning to the TPS country during the period of designation; • And requires current TPS designations will come up for Congressional review two years after the enactment of this amendment. Read more HERE.

Senators Rick Scott, Marco Rubio and Rep. Michael Waltz Introduce Legislation to Hold Maduro Accountable Senator Rick Scott, Senator Marco Rubio and Representative Michael Waltz introduced the Venezuelan Contracting Restriction Act to hold Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro accountable by prohibiting federal agencies from doing business with anyone that supports the oppressive Maduro regime. Senator Scott signed similar legislation into law as Governor of Florida. Senator Rick Scott said, “As Governor, I strictly prohibited the State of Florida, including all state agencies, from investing in any company that is doing business with Maduro’s oppressive government. Now, I’m filing a bill to prohibit all federal agencies from doing business with anyone that supports Maduro. The United States must do more in the fight for freedom and democracy, and I’m glad to be working with Senator Marco Rubio and Representative Michael Waltz to continue to hold Maduro accountable. We cannot stand by and let this crisis continue." Read more HERE.

Sen. Rick Scott in the Miami Herald: Latin America’s Political and Economic Crises are Direct Threat to America’s National Security Senator Rick Scott wrote an op-ed for the Miami Herald and el Nuevo Herald on why the United States must stand up for freedom, democracy and human rights throughout Latin America to protect America’s families, national security and economic stability. In the op-ed, Senator Rick Scott wrote, “The crises we face across Latin America may seem like isolated, parochial conflicts in a faraway place, but the reality is that these crises reach our shores eventually. They always do. Each time there is political, social or economic instability, a natural disaster or rising dictatorship in the region, the movement of immigrants from any given crisis puts a strain on our immigration system and resources. There also are the devastating impacts on affected families. It’s a geopolitical reality that requires, from a simple cost-benefit analysis, a greater commitment to the stability of the region. … We must be clear-eyed about the threats and understand their origin as well as their effect on the flow of migrants to our border, of drugs into our country and the rising influence of anti-American actors in the hemisphere. The degree to which our foreign policy truly reflects a commitment to freedom, democracy and human rights in the region will have a direct impact on our stability at home." Read the full op-ed HERE.

Sen. Rick Scott in Fox News: Europe Needs to Stand for Freedom in Venezuela In July 2019, Senator Rick Scott wrote an op-ed calling on all European nations to join together to end Nicolás Maduro’s ruthless regime in Venezuela. In the op-ed, Senator Rick Scott wrote, “…Europe needs to step up its efforts and show that it is committed to cutting off funds to human rights abusers and to pushing hard for the restoration of democracy in Venezuela. EVERY EU country should join the United States and recognize Juan Guaidó as the legitimate president of Venezuela. EVERY EU country should impose significant sanctions on Venezuela and the Maduro Regime. EVERY EU country should immediately stop doing business with the Cuban regime propping up Maduro and his genocide. And EVERY EU country should demand that Maduro leave power to allow for free, fair, and democratic elections without accepting a Maduro crony or clone to take his place. History has shown that at important moments, the world community has the ability to come together, to put our differences aside and fight for the common good. This is one of those moments." Read the full op-ed HERE.

Sen. Rick Scott in Miami Herald: Colombia’s New President Reflects that Country’s Desire for a New Era of Conservatism In April 2019, Senator Rick Scott wrote an op-ed for the Miami Herald on how Colombian President Ivan Duque and the United States can continue working together to address the issue of drug trafficking and support freedom in Latin America. In the op-ed, Senator Rick Scott wrote, “Since his inauguration, President Duque has taken strong measures to support freedom and democracy in Latin America, improve Colombia’s economy, and continue the progress made in tackling the drug trafficking problem. … President Duque’s efforts mean less drugs coming across the United States border and for that, I am grateful for his efforts. But, there is still more to do. The drug problem is not only a Colombian problem. … Now more than ever, the United States and the international community must work together to confront drug trafficking. Although President Duque’s fight has just begun, I hope that Colombia and the United States can work together so we can finally see a lasting reduction in this decades-old problem." Read more HERE.