Rep. María Elvira Salazar, a U.S. Congresswoman representing Florida’s 27th district, addressed issues related to democracy and human rights in Latin America through a series of posts on April 16, 2026.
In her first post, Salazar recounted her participation in a Western Hemisphere hearing, where she questioned Michael Kozak, Senior Bureau Official for Western Hemisphere Affairs. She wrote: “Today, I held a Western Hemisphere hearing and asked Michael Kozak, Senior Bureau Official for Western Hemisphere Affairs:
Is there a date for free and fair elections in Venezuela?
I was clear: we don’t trust Delcy, and the Venezuelan people deserve FREEDOM.” (April 16, 2026)
She also shared her remarks in Spanish on the same day: “Hoy, en el Subcomité del Hemisferio Occidental, le pregunté a Michael Kozak, alto funcionario para Asuntos del Hemisferio Occidental:
¿Hay una fecha concreta para elecciones libres y justas en Venezuela?
Fui clara: no confiamos en Delcy y el pueblo venezolano merece LIBERTAD,” (April 16, 2026)
Later that day, Salazar commented on an exchange with Rep. Jonathan Jackson regarding Cuba. She stated: “The truth about Cuba doesn’t change just because some choose to ignore it.
In a heated exchange with Rep. Jonathan Jackson, fresh off his trip to the island, it’s clear he drank the regime’s Kool-Aid. The Cuban dictatorship is not in the business of feeding its people…” (April 16, 2026)
These statements reflect ongoing debates within U.S. policy circles about democratic reforms and human rights conditions in Venezuela and Cuba. Salazar has been vocal about skepticism toward Venezuelan officials such as Delcy Rodríguez and critical of the Cuban government’s approach to governance and public welfare.