Cuba-born congressman recounts emotional return to homeland with CODEL to Gitmo
Rep. Carlos Gimenez, the only Cuban-born member of Congress, recently returned to his homeland of Cuba for the first time in 64 years. This trip has reignited his determination to see the island liberated from dictatorship. Gimenez joined a congressional delegation to the U.S.-managed Guantánamo Bay military base, highlighting the stark contrast between the free base and the rest of the nation still under communist rule.
The Gimenez family fled Cuba when Carlos Sr., Mitzi, Carlos, and Mitzi Ann were forced to leave when the future Miami fire chief, Miami-Dade County mayor, and congressman was just 6 years old. Returning to Cuba, Gimenez expressed his desire to see the entire island free from communist tyranny. His memories of Cuba, in short video snippets, and his emotional connection to the country were evident as he gazed upon the land he had not seen in over six decades.
Visiting Guantánamo Bay brought back memories of his time living on a ranch in Oriente Province, near the military base. Gimenez expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to return to his homeland, but also his anger towards the regime that had destroyed the beauty and potential of the island.
However, visiting his hometown remained out of the question due to the heavily fortified border between Guantánamo Bay and mainland Cuba, with landmines planted by the regime. Despite the challenges, Gimenez remains committed to seeing a democratic Cuba and believes now is the time for change.
The congressional delegation’s visit was part of President Donald Trump’s executive order directing illegal immigrant criminals to be detained at Gitmo under ICE supervision. The group met with U.S. service members and law enforcement officials overseeing the removal of criminals from the base. The role of the Department of Defense in protecting the nation’s border security was highlighted during the visit.
Gimenez has long advocated for a peaceful transition to democracy in Cuba, envisioning a free Cuba as a strong ally to the U.S. in the Caribbean region. With renewed focus on foreign policy and national security, he believes the time is ripe for change in Cuba. The congressman is determined to do whatever it takes to see a democratic Cuba once more.
In conclusion, Rep. Carlos Gimenez’s emotional return to Cuba has reignited his determination to see the island liberated from dictatorship. His visit to Guantánamo Bay highlighted the stark contrast between the free base and the rest of the nation still under communist rule. With a renewed focus on national security and foreign policy, Gimenez believes now is the time to push for a democratic Cuba.
