MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – Chanting "libertad," hundreds of Venezuelan-Americans packed a tiny southwest Miami-Dade County restaurant to fight for freedom, signing petitions and pleading for help from the U.S. government for their home country.
"This is about freedom," Irene Sotolongo said. "This is about kids that are being killed, so it's more like a cry for help."
Recommended Videos
Gov. Rick Scott arrived amid cheers and demands to take the Venezuelan pleas to the president.
"We as Americans need to stand in solidarity with the people of Venezuela," Scott told the crowd.
Florida's governor is calling for economic sanctions in the socialist country. He also challenged President Barack Obama to take action.
"What's the president done? Nothing," Scott said. "The president has taken no action."
Dozens of students and peaceful protestors have been killed in Venezuela these past few months as many rise up against the regime, pleading for political change and demanding a democracy in the long-held dictatorship.
"We would not tolerate that here," Scott said. "We shouldn't tolerate that there."