Florida Senate - 2019 (NP) SR 682 By Senator Diaz 36-01686-19 2019682__ 1 Senate Resolution 2 A resolution expressing solidarity with the people of 3 Venezuela in their pursuit of a strong and stable 4 democratic government under which they may enjoy the 5 political freedoms and economic security that are the 6 hallmarks of democracy. 7 8 WHEREAS, Venezuela was once a rich and prosperous country 9 with a stable democratic form of government, recognized as South 10 America’s economic powerhouse because of its bountiful natural 11 resources, and 12 WHEREAS, since 1998, when Hugo Chávez first came into 13 power, and continuing today under the brutal dictatorship of 14 Nicolás Maduro, Venezuela has become a shadow of its former 15 self, crippled by an economic collapse that has resulted in 16 shortages of food and the suspension of essential services, and 17 WHEREAS, the current dictatorship has robbed the Venezuelan 18 people of their freedom of press, freedom of speech, and the 19 right to peaceful assembly, and 20 WHEREAS, United States Senator Marco Rubio and President 21 Donald J. Trump have joined other world leaders in calling for 22 the recognition of Juan Guaidó as Venezuela’s new president in 23 light of his promise to re-establish the Constitution of 24 Venezuela, which would guarantee and promote political rights, 25 including the right to assemble for political purposes, for the 26 people of Venezuela, and 27 WHEREAS, democracy is a necessary condition for the peace, 28 stability, and development of Venezuela and the well-being of 29 the Venezuelan people, NOW, THEREFORE, 30 31 Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida: 32 33 That the Senate expresses solidarity with the people of 34 Venezuela in their pursuit of a strong and stable democratic 35 government under which they may enjoy the political freedoms and 36 economic security that are the hallmarks of democracy. 37 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Senate calls for the 38 recognition of Juan Guaidó as Venezuela’s new president.