Press Releases
English/Español: Rubio Announces Venezuelan Chargé d’affaires Carlos Vecchio as State of the Union Guest
Feb 04 2019
Washington, D.C – U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) announced Chargé d’affaires of the Embassy of Venezuela to the United States Carlos Vecchio will be his official guest for President Trump’s State of the Union Address on Tuesday evening. Vecchio, a Venezuelan lawyer and co-founder of the opposition party Voluntad Popular, fled Maduro’s narco-terrorist tyranny in 2014 and is currently living in exile. Following the inauguration of Provisional President Juan Guaidó, Vecchio was appointed by the National Assembly as Chargé d’affaires at the Venezuelan Embassy in Washington, D.C.
“For years, Carlos witnessed first-hand the Maduro regime’s repression and egregious human rights abuses,” Rubio said. “Since living in exile from 2014, Vecchio has been a tireless advocate for the restoration of democracy and freedom of his beloved homeland. I’m honored to host the Venezuelan Embassy’s Chargé d’affaires in the Capitol on Tuesday, and I anticipate President Trump will reemphasize his Administration’s stance against tyrannical leaders in Latin America and in support of the people of Venezuela.”
"Por años, Carlos ha sido testigo de la represión del régimen de Maduro y de los atroces abusos contra los derechos humanos", Rubio dijo. “Desde que vive en el exilio a partir del 2014, Vecchio ha sido un defensor incansable de la restauración de la democracia y la libertad de su amada patria. Me honra ser el anfitrión del Encargado de Negocios de la Embajada de Venezuela en el Capitolio este martes, y preveo que el Presidente Trump volverá a enfatizar la postura de su administración contra los líderes tiránicos en América Latina y en apoyo al pueblo de Venezuela".