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Rubio, Nelson urge sanctions against Venezuela

TALLAHASSE, Fla. — Florida Sens. Bill Nelson and Marco Rubio are calling on the Obama administration to enact sanctions against Venezuela.

The Democrat and Republican addressed a crowd of Venezuelans in Miami Thursday. They said their appearance was part of a bipartisan effort to call attention to the political unrest in the South American country that has left 41 dead.

Rubio said the Senate Foreign Relations Committee would hold a hearing on Venezuela after the holiday recess. He said lawmakers would build the case for sanctions against Venezuelan officials and private individuals with links to the government of President Nicolas Maduro.

Nelson and Rubio also said the U.S. should consider special immigration protection for those who fled Venezuela.

South Florida is home to the largest concentration of Venezuelans in the U.S.