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Rubio Wants Treasury Secretary To Meet With S. Florida's Venezuelan Community

MIAMI (CBSMiami/AP) — In an effort to keep the spotlight on the political turmoil in Venezuela, U.S. Senator Marco Rubio has asked Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew to meet with the Venezuelan community in South Florida this week.

Lew is scheduled to visit Miami-Dade College Wednesday to promote job training programs.

In the Senate, Rubio has pushed legislation that compels President Barack Obama to impose sanctions on members of the Venezuelan government tied to human rights abuses. Lew's department would play a major role in enforcing those sanctions.

Anti-government street protests by Venezuelans fed up with soaring inflation, violent crime and food shortages have roiled Venezuela for more than a month. The Venezuelan government says at least 25 people have died in the turmoil. South Florida is home to the largest concentration of Venezuelans in the U.S.

(TM and © Copyright 2014 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2014 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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