Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders who is running for President of the United States again and the man who entered the crowded Democratic field this week found himself in trouble with Florida lawmakers in his own party for his remarks about Venezuela.
Kudos to our friend Marc Caputo of Politico for breaking the story that has the Florida Democratic Congressional delegation upset. According to Caputo Sanders for refusing to call Venezuelan strongman Nicolas Maduro a dictator — a politically explosive issue in the nation’s biggest swing state.
Sanders also would not say whether he considered Venezuela’s assembly leader, Juan Guaidó, as the nation’s interim president, which is the position of the United States and a majority of Latin American as well as the European countries.
In an email, to News Talk, Florida St. Petersburg based Congressman Charlie Crist (D-Florida) was clear in his condemnation of what is going on in Venezuela.
“Violently blocking aid to ease the humanitarian crisis he created, Maduro’s latest moves to preserve his illegitimate dictatorship represent a new, detestable low. Time and time again, Maduro forces the Venezuelan people to pay the price, now depriving them of desperately needed food and medicine.
“The democratically elected National Assembly in accordance with the Venezuelan Constitution has vacated Maduro from the presidency, leaving Juan Guaidó serving as Interim President until free and fair elections can be held. The United States and the international community recognize the legitimacy of this action and support the people of Venezuela in their effort to free themselves from the dictator. We will continue working with neighboring countries to deliver much-needed humanitarian aid.”
The Democrats fear that Sanders comments about Venezuela could give the Republicans and President Donald Trump fodder in painting the party as “far left socialists.”
“He is not going to be the nominee of the Democratic Party. He has demonstrated again that he does not understand this situation,” Rep. Donna Shalala, a Miami Democrat who represents Venezuelan exiles and, told POLITICO. “I absolutely disagree with his imprecision in not saying Maduro must go.” Shalala has filed legislation aimed at helping Venezuelan immigrants
