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FIRST ON FOX: Venezuelan opposition leader and internationally recognized President-elect Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia has pledged to provide “reparations” to the family of Laken Riley, along with other Americans impacted by the actions of the street gang Tren de Aragua.
In a message directed to Riley’s family, González and fellow opposition figure MarÃa Corina Machado expressed their sympathy, stating, “Laken’s life, brimming with potential, was abruptly extinguished by someone who should never have been allowed to enter your country.”
Marco Rubio, Secretary of State, recently spoke with González and Machado, asserting that Urrutia is to be regarded as the “legitimate president” of Venezuela. Previously, the Biden administration had identified Urrutia as the “president-elect” before the official transition of power.
In their correspondence, the opposition leaders emphasized that Riley’s murder illustrates the consequences of Nicolás Maduro’s regime, which has created a fertile ground for criminal factions like Tren de Aragua to thrive without repercussions.
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Gonzalez Urrutia reiterated his commitment to accountability, promising that, upon his official assumption of the presidency, he would “hold accountable all those responsible for the devastation caused, both within Venezuela and beyond its borders.”
“We plan to create a robust reparations framework, not only for countless Venezuelans who have suffered under this narco-state but also for victims abroad, including your family,” he added.
He highlighted that most Venezuelans seeking refuge in the United States are law-abiding individuals deeply invested in contributing positively to American society and its economy.
“They yearn for the opportunity to return home, reunite with their families, and strive towards a free and prosperous Venezuela. We eagerly anticipate that day,” they emphasized.
“This letter serves as a heartfelt expression of our condolences and a solemn assurance: Laken will forever be remembered. She will stand as an innocent victim of tyranny and a significant impetus for the transformation we are set on realizing.”
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Supporters rallied during a campaign event for opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez and MarÃa Corina Machado in anticipation of the elections in July.
The Trump administration had made advances to implement the Alien Enemies Act, a wartime immigration statute established in 1798, to facilitate the swift deportation of Venezuelan nationals suspected of affiliations with Tren de Aragua. However, legal disputes arose when a federal judge temporarily halted the deportation initiative, prompting calls from Trump’s supporters for the impeachment of Judge James Boasberg.
Estimates from the United Nations indicate that approximately 7.7 million Venezuelans have fled their homeland over the last decade due to a catastrophic economic meltdown characterized by hyperinflation, which reached a staggering 130,000% in 2018, alongside widespread poverty.
Since Nicolás Maduro took office in 2013, his administration has faced serious allegations of corruption, authoritarianism, money laundering, and drug trafficking. While many nations have acknowledged González’s electoral victory in July, Maduro continues to resist ceding power.
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Maduro has issued an arrest warrant for González, who sought refuge in Spain after fleeing the country in September.
Laken Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student, was tragically killed while jogging on the University of Georgia campus in February 2024. The apprehended suspect, José Ibarra – a Venezuelan national who entered the United States unlawfully – faces charges related to her murder. This event ignited widespread public outrage and contributed to the introduction of new immigration laws that Trump enacted shortly after his inauguration this year.
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