WASHINGTON _ Vice President Mike Pence and his wife, second lady Karen Pence, will fly to Miami on Friday to meet with the Venezuelan exile community and rally the community behind opposition leader Juan Guaido's efforts to "restore freedom and democracy in Venezuela."
A White House official said Pence will participate in a roundtable discussion at the Iglesia Doral Jesus Worship Center with Venezuelan exiles and community leaders including families, political prisoners and former elected officials "who were forced to flee their country due to political persecution."
"Following, the vice president will give formal remarks, he will rally support for the Venezuelan people and reiterate the steadfast support from the United States in their fight for freedom," a White House official said.
The Trump administration is backing Guaido, whom the United States has recognized as Venezuela's interim president, and his efforts to take control away from Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro amid a worsening economic and humanitarian crisis.
Pence will also be joined by Carlos Vecchio, whom the administration this week recognized as the charge d'affaires of the government of Venezuela to the United States, Julio Borges, former president of the National Assembly of Venezuela, and Carlos Trujillo, the U.S. ambassador to the Organization of American States.
Florida's Gov. Ron DeSantis, Sens. Marco Rubio and Rick Scott and Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart will also participate in the listening session.
