The Venezuelan-American community, with the help of IVAC, will host its fourth caravan to Washington, D.C., on March 25 to highlight the threats posed by Nicolás Maduro’s regime to U.S. security. IVAC plans to deliver 545 letters to Congress detailing the regime’s criminal activities, including drug trafficking, terrorism, and strategic foreign influences. The community emphasizes the need for a strong U.S. response to eliminate these threats and protect American interests.
Members of the Venezuelan-American community are mobilizing to emphasize the dangers posed by Nicolás Maduro’s regime. The civic organization IVAC is organizing its fourth caravan to Washington, D.C., scheduled for March 25, with a clear objective: to convey the message that Maduro’s criminal activities jeopardize U.S. security.
During this event, IVAC members, led by Eduardo Ackerman, will hand-deliver 545 letters to members of Congress and the Senate. These documents illustrate the hardships inflicted on Venezuelans by the Maduro government and highlight the direct threats it presents to the United States.
Ackerman stated, “Maduro’s cartel isn’t just a problem for Venezuela—it’s a danger to America. We need U.S. lawmakers to understand the urgency of this situation.” IVAC asserts that Maduro’s government facilitates various international criminal activities, which include:
– Drug Trafficking: Venezuela has reportedly become a significant transit point for cocaine entering the U.S.
– Terrorist Connections: Organizations such as Hezbollah and Hamas are believed to operate within Venezuelan borders, particularly on Margarita Island.
– Influence from China and Russia: Maduro’s alliances with these nations present strategic risks to U.S. interests.
– Passport Fraud: The regime has allegedly issued passports to individuals with minimal oversight, raising security concerns.
– Migration Concerns: Criminal groups like the Tren de Aragua gang are said to infiltrate migration flows.
– Drone Warfare Capabilities: Venezuela is acquiring drones, posing potential military threats.
Ackerman emphasized, “This is not just a humanitarian crisis. It is a national security crisis.”
Previous IVAC caravans have successfully garnered support from lawmakers, particularly from Florida, including Carlos Giménez, María Elvira Salazar, and Mario Díaz-Balart. This upcoming caravan will see participants from 21 cities, including Miami, Orlando, and states like Indiana, Ohio, and Tennessee, increasing their outreach.
Participants intend to directly appeal to legislators within Congressional and Senate buildings, focusing on congressional support for the removal of Maduro. Ackerman remarked, “We’re not just asking for compassion. We’re showing them that removing Maduro is in America’s best interest.”
Historically, IVAC has influenced U.S. policy, having advocated for initial sanctions against Maduro’s regime in 2014. They believe that the current U.S. policy is inadequate. As Ackerman noted, “Secretary of State Marco Rubio said it best when he was a Senator for Florida: ‘All options should be on the table.'”
IVAC maintains that ousting Maduro would facilitate Venezuela’s return to democracy and diminish the influence of allies such as Cuba and Nicaragua. Ackerman asserts their long-term aim is to convert Venezuela from a liability into a beneficial economic partner for the U.S.
With approximately 650,000 Venezuelan Americans qualifying to vote, IVAC emphasizes that political engagement is crucial. Their primary message to Congress stresses that supporting the removal of Maduro transcends foreign policy and is fundamentally a national security imperative. “We don’t want American soldiers fighting in Venezuela,” Ackerman stressed. “We want a strong, strategic response to eliminate this threat.”
The upcoming caravan on March 25 is anticipated to significantly influence discussions on Capitol Hill. For IVAC, the mission extends beyond advocating for Venezuelans; it encompasses the protection of American interests.
The IVAC caravan to Washington, D.C., aims to underscore the perceived threats posed by Nicolás Maduro’s regime to U.S. national security. With a focus on political mobilization and direct appeals to legislators, the Venezuelan-American community is advocating for a decisive U.S. response. The ultimate goal is to not only secure democratic governance in Venezuela but also foster a stronger economic alliance with the United States.
Original Source: www.inkl.com
