House Speaker Nancy Pelosi held a historic meeting today with Venezuelan Interim President Juan Guaidó to discuss proposals to restore democracy in Venezuela and help Venezuelans living in the United States. The meeting is part of Guaidó’s international agenda to reaffirm the international community’s support for his legitimate presidency.

Last weekend ahead of his rally with the Venezuelan community in South Florida, President Guaidó held meetings with South Florida Members of Congress Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Donna Shalala and Debbie Mucarsel-Powell.

While the Trump Administration continues punishing Venezuelan refugees looking for freedom, Florida Democrats have urged the administration to stop the detention and deportation of Venezuelans fleeing the Maduro regime.

Under Democratic leadership, the U.S. House of Representatives has passed a bill to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in the country, help Venezuelans in their path to freedom and passed the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuelans, a bill that is currently stalled in the Republican-controlled Senate

Florida Democratic Party spokesperson, Luisana Pérez Fernández, released the following statement after the meeting:

“This meeting is critical to Interim President Juan Guaidó’s efforts to bring democracy to Venezuela. Democrats are proud to stand by his side and help restore human rights, prosperity and health to the Venezuelan people.

“Speaker Pelosi and Florida Democrats have been proactively working to make sure Venezuelans restore democracy in their country and are protected in the United States, including passing Temporary Protected Status for Venezuelans.”