Gov. Rick Scott’s office announced on Tuesday that State Representative Manny Diaz Jr., along with two other Miami-area Republican lawmakers, have filed legislation to prohibit Florida from doing business with companies involved with Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro.

Representative Manny Diaz Jr. is a prime-cosponsor of this bill. He along with House Speaker Pro Tempore Jeanette Nuñez, R-Miami, and Sen. Rene Garcia, R-Hialeah, filed joint bills to ban the state from investing in any companies doing business with the Maduro government. This was a symbolic gesture in fighting back against the country’s oppressive government.

“I’m proud to join my colleagues and Governor Rick Scott to support the people of Venezuela as we block this tyrannical regime of resources” Manny Diaz Jr. Said.

SB 538/HB 359 come on the heels of an announcement Gov. Scott made this summer when he threatened to introduce an agenda item before the Trustees of the State Board Administration in August which would prohibit the Sunshine State from doing any business with organizations supporting the Maduro regime.

The SBA eventually voted unanimously to approve Gov. Scott’s proposed resolution — and now it’s headed to the Florida Legislature for another round of approval.

Since being elected president, Maduro’s policies have led to widespread crime and poverty in Venezuela, leading many elected officials to come out in opposition to any policies or businesses supporting the poverty-stricken country’s government.

Although Venezuela held regional elections this weekend, they were quickly criticized for being “blanketed in fraud.” Opposition leaders in Venezuela have disputed the elections, where the country’s socialist party swept most of the 23 governorships.

Gov. Scott joined in on the criticisms of the election process, calling for “true democracy” and “human rights” as the nation continues to struggle to stay afloat both economically and politically.

“This past Sunday, the will of the Venezuelan people was again suppressed by the oppressive Maduro regime through an untrustworthy election process,” Gov. Scott said.

Diaz jr., Nunez and Garcia said proposals and support like theirs are critical in helping to bring a light of hope to the Venezuelan people.

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