Major Hurricane Milton is expected to make landfall in Florida, bringing with it devastating storm surge, winds, and inland flooding. The Seminole Tribe of Florida should have access to the federal resources required for emergency response and recovery preparations on...
Major Hurricane Milton is forecasted to potentially hinder or obstruct the Port of Tampa Bay, which receives more than 40 percent of Florida’s petroleum products. It’s crucial for the federal government to expedite all requested measures to protect Florida’s economy...
Major Hurricane Milton is forecasted to impact Florida with devastating storm surge, winds, and inland flooding. After just being hit by Hurricane Helene, it’s crucial for the State of Florida to have the support of the federal government. U.S. Senators Marco Rubio...
This year marks the first anniversary of the October 7, 2023 terrorist attacks against Israel. 32 Americans died in those attacks, and four of the Americans taken hostage that day remain in captivity. U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) released a video remembering the...
Following Hurricane Helene’s catastrophic damage throughout Florida’s gulf coast, U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) met with the Florida Farm Bureau as well as local agricultural producers, farmers, and growers to discuss the storm’s impact. Photos are courtesy of...
Following Hurricane Helene’s catastrophic damage throughout Florida’s Gulf Coast, U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) met with local officials and volunteers from the barrier islands to discuss the storm’s impact and current recovery efforts. Photos are courtesy of...
Miami, FL – U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) today issued a statement after the U.S. State Department imposed visa ban sanctions against Rafael Enrique Bastardo Mendoza, Commander of Venezuela’s police special forces (FAES), and Ivan Rafael Hernandez Dala, Commander of military counter intelligence (DGCIM), for their involvement in human rights violations against Venezuelan nationals. Today’s designation, made pursuant to Section 7031(c) of the Fiscal Year 2019 Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Act, also includes Bastardo’s spouse, Jeisy Catherine Leal Andarcia, and Hernandez’s spouse, Luzbel Carolina Colmenares Morales, as well as the minor children of both Commanders.
“Both the DGCIM and FAES are agencies responsible for significant torture and violence against Venezuelan nationals, as evidenced in the brutal death of retired Navy Captain Rafael Acosta Arévalo,” Rubio said. “Under the direction of the Maduro crime family both of these agencies have committed egregious human rights violations, and these designations are long overdue. The United States will continue to stand with the people of Venezuela in their quest to restore democratic order and the rule of law.”
Rubio is the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Transnational Crime, Civilian Security, Democracy, Human Rights, and Global Women’s Issues. He is also a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Relations Programs.
Related:
On July 11, 2019, Rubio applauded sanctions against Venezuela’s General Directorate of Military Counterintelligence (La Dirección General de Contraintelligencia Militar or DGCIM).