Congressman Mackenzie Meets with Venezuelan Opposition Leader Maria Corina Machado

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Ryan Mackenzie (PA-07), representing the Lehigh Valley and the Poconos, attended a members-only roundtable on Tuesday night with Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado. Congressman Mackenzie is a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Western Hemisphere Subcommittee.

"As Venezuela begins to look towards a brighter future, it was a pleasure to meet with Venezuela opposition leader and Nobel Prize awardee Maria Corina Machado," said Congressman Mackenzie. "Machado has been a champion for freedom and democracy, not just in Venezuela, but throughout the world. Together, we look forward to seeing the return of democracy, liberty, and peace to Venezuela."

In the meeting, Machado praised the work of the Trump Administration in removing Maduro, which has opened a pathway towards democratic elections.

"Machado and I agree that the action taken to remove Maduro from office marks a decisive victory for the people of Venezuela," continued Mackenzie. "Maduro was an illegitimate, authoritarian dictator who used his position to promote drug trafficking targeting the United States. Our nation's efforts to bring Maduro to justice have created new possibilities for Machado and other Venezuelans to promote a return to democracy in their nation. We both have expressed our gratitude to the American servicemembers whose exemplary performance has made this future possible."

Links to event photos here

(Photo credit: House Foreign Affairs Committee staff)

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