Republican Representative, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen speaks out on death of Hugo Chavez

Ros-Lehtinen says her congressional colleagues should offer their condolences to the victims of Chavez

Ileana Ros-Lehtinen.

Florida lawmakers had strong reactions on the death of Venezuela's president, Hugo Chavez.

U.S. Representative from Florida's 27th district, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen says she is ashamed of the reactions from some of her political counterparts.

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"Well, I am ashamed when I see statements from my congressional colleagues like Jose Serrano, who says that Chavez was compassionate for the poor," said Ros-Lehtinen.

"...When Joe Kennedy III says 'I give my condolences to the Chavez family,' I wish he would give his condolences to the many victims of Chavez's actions where he made people disappear and when he had political prisoners, for their ideas in jail."

Ros-Lehtinen said everyone's condolences should be reserved for Chavez's victims and the thousands of Venezuelans who live in South Florida in exile, because they cannot go back to their native homeland.

"And Jose Serrano says Hugo Chavez was a champion for the poor...Hugo Chavez died a very rich man, and he died a multi-millionaire because he robbed from the Venezuelan people," said Ros-Lehtinen.

"He robbed them of their riches, he confiscated property illegally and he died a very wealthy man; and so much for his love to the poor."