South Miami-Dade News

Congressman Carlos A. Gimenez, representing Florida's Miami-Dade County and the Florida Keys, made a significant return to his homeland of Cuba on March 7, 2025. This visit marked his first return in 64 years since leaving the country as a child. The trip was part of a congressional delegation led by House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers, aimed at assessing migrant facilities at the U.S. military base in Guantanamo Bay and meeting with law enforcement officials.

Gimenez left Cuba at age six in November 1960 with his family after Fidel Castro's overthrow of President Fulgencio Batista in 1959. The family sought refuge in Miami, Florida, due to the Communist Revolution that has kept Cuba under a dictatorial regime for decades.

Reflecting on his visit, Congressman Gimenez stated, "For the first time in 64 years, I was able to visit the country of my birth. I am beyond honored to represent our community in Congress and to have been on the only liberated part of Cuba: Guantanamo Bay."

As a member of the Armed Services Committee, Gimenez observed developments at Guantanamo Bay under former President Trump's administration. He remarked on "the rapid progress President Trump has made to prepare Guantanamo Bay as a staging ground for violent criminals in our country illegally."

He expressed eagerness to continue collaborating with key figures such as former President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, along with the Cuban exile community and those within Cuba striving against its current regime.

Carlos Gimenez is notable for being the only Cuban-born member of the 119th Congress. His career includes roles as Fire Chief of Miami and Mayor of Miami-Dade County before serving in Congress. He holds positions on several committees including Homeland Security Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security, Armed Services Committee, and Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party.