Florida Sen. Rubio urges Biden to cut U.N. funding after controversial Venezuelan appointment

Florida Senator Marco Rubio asked President Joe Biden to reconsider the amount of funding the U.S. provides to the United Nations following the election of Venezuela's United Nations (UN) Ambassador Samuel Moncada to one of the vice presidencies of the UN General Assembly.

The decision stirred controversy in the U.S. political landscape, as Moncada represents Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who has been in the spotlight for human rights violations and non-transparent elections, including this election cycle.

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado has reported that 37 activists have been "arbitrarily detained" so far this year in the run-up to the July 28 elections in which Maduro is seeking a third consecutive term.

In March, the United Nations' International Independent Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela (FFM) warned that on the doors of 2024's elections Maduro's government has entered "a reactivation of the most violent form of repression."

The president of the UN mission, Marta Valiñas, said that there are "serious difficulties in ensuring that the upcoming presidential elections proceed in accordance with the right to participate in public affairs as outlined in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights."

However, through his new role, ambassador Moncada will represent Latin America and Caribbean States at the General Assembly.

Rubio criticized the decision in a letter, in which he also urges Biden to "ensure U.S. taxpayer dollars don't support the interests of criminal regimes at the United Nations."

"I write to express profound outrage regarding the recent actions of the United Nations (UN) that support and promote the interests of authoritarians, terrorists, and their sympathizers through U.S. taxpayer funds. I believe these actions are grossly irresponsible and counterproductive to the interests of global peace, security, and democracy," he said.