Congressman Carlos Gimenez (R-FL) has declared Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro a significant threat to the safety and security of the United States. In an interview with LiveNOW, Gimenez emphasized the need for increased U.S. military operations in the region to counter the influence of Venezuelan drug cartels. His remarks come as the U.S. launches a new initiative, Operation Southern Spear, aimed at dismantling narco-terror networks throughout Latin America.
During the discussion, Gimenez stated, “He is the head of a foreign terrorist organization about to be designated as such, Cartel de los Soles. Those cartels, along with others from Mexico and Colombia, have been responsible for the deaths of over half a million Americans in the last five years.” He praised the current administration’s decisive actions against these groups, which he believes have caused widespread harm to American communities.
Gimenez, who serves on both the House Armed Services Committee and the House Homeland Security Committee, articulated his long-standing call for robust military action against Maduro’s regime. He pointed to the results of last year’s elections in Venezuela, where Maduro lost to an overwhelming majority but refused to relinquish power, calling him an “illegitimate ruler.”
The Pentagon’s recent announcement of Operation Southern Spear marks a significant escalation in U.S. military efforts, with the U.S. Southern Command and Joint Task Force Southern Spear leading the charge against narco-terrorists in the Western Hemisphere. Currently, U.S. naval forces, including the world’s largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, are positioned in the region, raising questions about potential military action against Venezuela.
When asked about specific plans, Gimenez admitted he was not privy to any details regarding President Donald Trump‘s strategies. “I really don’t have any comments on what the plans are. I don’t know what the long-term plans are for President Trump,” he said. Nonetheless, he expressed a desire for a political shift in Venezuela, stating, “We’d like to see Nicolás Maduro leave Venezuela and allow a free democracy to reign again.”
On a broader scale, Gimenez expressed concern about the impact of drug cartels on American lives. He noted that the Chavez-Maduro regime has devastated Venezuela and contributed to the loss of countless American lives through drug trafficking, particularly the spread of fentanyl. He stated, “We’ve lost over half a million Americans to these drugs… more than we lost during the entire World War II.”
The congressman also highlighted the implications of the U.S. designating Cartel de los Soles as a foreign terrorist organization. This classification, announced by Secretary of State Rubio, allows for military actions against the cartel within the framework of U.S. law. Gimenez likened the situation to previous military actions against groups like ISIS or Al-Qaeda, emphasizing the scale of the threat posed by these cartels.
Gimenez, who represents Florida’s 28th congressional district, has been an advocate for addressing the ongoing crisis in Venezuela and its implications for U.S. national security. He is the only Cuban-born member of Congress and has served since his election in 2020. His roles on various committees and leadership groups reflect his commitment to both national security and the interests of his constituents.
The information presented is based on Congressman Gimenez’s interview with LiveNOW and previous reporting by Fox TV Stations. The situation remains fluid, with ongoing developments in U.S. military strategy and Venezuelan politics expected to impact both regional and domestic security considerations.
