MIAMI, FL - Today, Congressman Carlos A. Gimenez released the following statement following the announcement of the new Joint Task Force (JTF) under II Marine Expeditionary Force (II MEF).

“Joint Interagency Task Force South (JIATF-South) and U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) play a vital role in protecting America’s national security, and I’m proud to see the creation of a new Counter-Narcotics Joint Task Force,” said Congressman Carlos A. Gimenez. “Every day, our servicemembers and law enforcement partners at JIATF-South and SOUTHCOM lead the fight against transnational criminal organizations, terrorist cartels, and narco-traffickers that threaten our homeland. As the murderous regimes in Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua continue to enable these criminal enterprises, this investment will strengthen our ability to detect, deter, and defeat these threats—while reinforcing South Florida’s role as America’s front line of defense.”

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Congressman Carlos Giménez represents Miami-Dade County and the beautiful Florida Keys. He is the only Cuban-born Member of the 119th Congress, having fled his homeland shortly after the Communist takeover of the island. He is the first career firefighter-paramedic elected to the House of Representatives and served as the former Fire Chief of the City of Miami and Mayor of Miami-Dade County. Rep. Gimenez serves as the Chairman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security, the Armed Services Committee, and the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party. He was appointed by Speaker Mike Johnson to the Smithsonian Institution’s Board of Regents and the Mexico–United States Interparliamentary Group. Further, he serves as Vice-Chairman of the Republican Governance Group (RG2) and Vice Chair of Community Outreach for the Congressional Hispanic Conference.