On January 7, 2025, following reports that Venezuela’s communist dictator Nicolás Maduro kidnapped the son-in-law of President-Elect Edmundo González, the Florida Democratic Party has issued the following statement:

“Dictators do not just give up power. By kidnapping President-Elect González’s son-in-law, Rafael Tudares, Nicolás Maduro and his communist regime are putting on full display their plan to ignore the will of the Venezuelan people, who voted for Edmundo González to assume the office of the Presidency in just a number of days,” said FDP Chair Nikki Fried.

“Nicolás Maduro has a choice – he can peacefully transfer power, or continue to selfishly wield it and cause pain and suffering for the Venezuelan people. Florida Democrats stand in solidarity with President-Elect Edmundo González and the Venezuelan people during this time, and we call on Nicolás Maduro and his regime to immediately and safely return the President-Elect’s son-in-law, and prepare to step down from office on January 10th.”