Today, as Venezuela should be commemorating its independence, the nation is instead enduring one of the most painful moments in its history. That is saying a great deal for a country that has suffered through more than two decades of political oppression, economic hardship, and humanitarian crisis. Now, devastating earthquakes have brought even more heartbreak to a people who have already endured so much.
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But if there is one thing the world should never doubt, it is the strength of the Venezuelan people. In the face of unimaginable tragedy, neighbors are rescuing neighbors, families are digging through the rubble with their own hands, and communities are standing together with extraordinary resilience, courage, and faith. The hope of Venezuela has always been its people.
As Mayor of Miami, a city proudly home to a vibrant Venezuelan community, Venezuela is in my heart every day. Today, my thoughts, prayers, and unwavering solidarity are with every Venezuelan family mourning, searching, and rebuilding.
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I will continue to use my voice to call for true freedom for Venezuela, for the redesignation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuelans in the United States until safety and stability are truly realized, and for the international support and resources the Venezuelan people need to recover from this terrible tragedy.
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Hoy y siempre, gloria al bravo pueblo de Venezuela.