South Miami-Dade News

Representative Carlos A. Giménez from Florida announced that Cuban opposition leader and human rights advocate Rosa María Payá will be his guest at the State of the Union address. Rosa María, daughter of the late activist Oswaldo Payá who was killed by the Castro regime, is known for her relentless efforts to free Cuba from communism.

In a statement, Representative Giménez expressed his pride in having Rosa María as his guest and highlighted their shared commitment to denouncing the brutality in Cuba, advocating for the freedom of political prisoners, and holding the regime accountable for its crimes against humanity. He also condemned left-wing socialist members who have shown support for the Cuban regime, stating, "I am proud to stand alongside Rosa María in continuing to speak out against the evils of the Cuban regime."

Rosa María Payá, in turn, shared her gratitude for the invitation to attend the State of the Union address, especially in light of her family's recent legal action against former U.S. diplomat Victor Manuel Rocha for allegedly spying on behalf of the Cuban regime. She emphasized her family's pursuit of justice, truth, and an end to the impunity of the Cuban regime and its accomplices.

Representative Carlos Giménez, the only member of the 118th Congress born in Cuba, has a background as a paramedic firefighter and previously served as the Chief of the Miami Fire Department and Mayor of Miami-Dade County. He currently represents Miami-Dade County and the Florida Keys in Congress, where he is a member of various committees, including the House Armed Services Committee, the Homeland Security Committee, and the Select Committee on China.