Venezuelan Community Mobilizes to DC To Warn The Trump Admin Against Engaging With The Maduro Regime

Members of the Venezuelan-American community are staging a new push to highlight what they claim is the threat that Nicolás Maduro's regime poses to the United States. Concretely, Venezuelan American civic organization IVAC is organizing its fourth caravan to Washington, D.C., with a clear message: Maduro's criminal network endangers American security.

In an interview with The Latin Times, IVAC head Eduardo Ackerman detailed that the caravan will take place on March 25. Then, members of IVAC and their supporters will make their way to the nation's capital to hand-deliver 545 letters to members of Congress and the Senate. The documents detail the suffering of Venezuelans at the hands of the regime and the direct risks it continues to pose to the United States.

A threat beyond Venezuela

"Maduro's cartel isn't just a problem for Venezuela—it's a danger to America," said Ackerman. "We need U.S. lawmakers to understand the urgency of this situation."

IVAC argues that the Venezuelan regime facilitates international criminal activity that affects the U.S. They make the following allegations.

• Drug trafficking: Venezuela has become a hub for cocaine smuggling into the U.S.
• Terrorist connections: Hezbollah and Hamas operate in Venezuela, particularly on Margarita Island.
• Chinese and Russian influence: Maduro's close ties with China and Russia create strategic risks for the U.S.
• Passport fraud: The regime has issued Venezuelan passports to Iranians and others with little oversight.
• Uncontrolled migration: Criminal organizations, such as the Tren de Aragua gang, are infiltrating migrant flows.
• Drone warfare capabilities: Venezuela is acquiring drones that could pose a military threat.

"This is not just a humanitarian crisis. It is a national security crisis," Ackerman emphasized.

Building political pressure

Previous IVAC caravans have gathered support from U.S. lawmakers, including Florida representatives like Carlos Giménez, María Elvira Salazar, and Mario Díaz-Balart. This time, IVAC is expanding its reach, with participants traveling from 21 cities, including Miami, Orlando, and states like Indiana, Ohio, and Tennessee.

Participants plan to enter Congressional and Senate buildings, ensuring that each legislator receives a personal appeal. "We're not just asking for compassion. We're showing them that removing Maduro is in America's best interest," Ackerman stated.

IVAC has a history of engaging with U.S. policymakers. In 2014, the organization advocated for the first round of sanctions against Maduro's regime. Now, they argue that the current U.S. approach is insufficient.

"Secretary of State Marco Rubio said it best when he was a Senator for Florida: 'All options should be on the table,'" Ackerman said.

According to IVAC, removing Maduro from power would not only secure Venezuela's return to democracy but also weaken allies in Cuba and Nicaragua. The long-term goal, Ackerman explained, is to transform Venezuela from a liability into an economic ally for the U.S.

A message to lawmakers

With an estimated 650,000 Venezuelan Americans eligible to vote in the U.S., IVAC sees political engagement as essential. Their message to Congress is clear: supporting the removal of Maduro is not just a foreign policy issue—it's a matter of national security.

"We don't want American soldiers fighting in Venezuela," Ackerman clarified. "We want a strong, strategic response to eliminate this threat."

The March 25 caravan is expected to impact Capitol Hill strongly. For IVAC, it's not just about advocating for Venezuelans—it's about protecting America.