Florida Senator Candidate Doubts Venezuela Move

Florida state representative Angie Nixon said she is not sure if the United States should have conducted the recent operation to capture Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro.

Nixon faces Republican Ashley Moody in the federal Senate race on November 3. During an interview on Telemundo 51's program Encuentro Virtual, she questioned the strategic outcome of the move.

“Fue a Venezuela, secuestró a un presidente y dejó al mismo régimen,” Nixon said. She argued that the current action left the existing regime in place rather than changing the political structure.

Her primary proposal is to allow Venezuelans to decide their own future through voting. “Lo que necesitamos es permitir elecciones libres, justas y seguras en Venezuela para que los venezolanos puedan determinar qué tipo de país y de gobierno quieren,” she stated.

Nixon believes Maduro must answer for his actions. “Creo que debe rendir cuentas por cualquier crimen que haya cometido contra su pueblo,” she added. However, she admitted uncertainty about the necessity of the U.S. military intervention itself.

The candidate also addressed her membership in the Democratic Socialists of America. She clarified that she does not identify as a socialist. “No, no me considero socialista,” Nixon said. She described herself as someone who prioritizes people over profits and political parties.

She joined the DSA, Working Families Party, and NAACP to support community organizing. During a recent federal government shutdown, she noted that DSA members in Florida helped her raise funds to provide food to residents who lost SNAP benefits.

Nixon acknowledged disagreements with her organizations. She does not support abolishing prisons or defunding police. She also said she does not agree with praising Fidel Castro, a position she said became prominent after her membership began.

On the issue of Cuba, Nixon argued that the decades-long U.S. embargo has failed to change the government. “Durante décadas hemos tenido un embargo fallido. No ha provocado un cambio de régimen,” she said.

She spoke with Cuban Americans who reported that power outages on the island now last between 24 and 48 hours, compared to previous outages of four to six hours. She also cited difficulties in receiving medical treatments due to hospital fuel shortages.

Nixon proposed returning to the engagement policies of the Barack Obama administration. These measures would allow Cubans to open businesses, trade freely, and maintain contact with relatives in the United States. “Creo que deberíamos regresar a las políticas de la era de Obama,” she explained.

She suggested that U.S. sanctions target Cuban leaders rather than the general population. “Si queremos imponer sanciones a alguien, debemos imponérselas a los líderes de ese país, pero no debemos continuar el sufrimiento del pueblo cubano,” she said. She blamed the Cuban government for the population's suffering but stated that the U.S. embargo worsens the conditions. “Estamos empeorando las cosas,” she added. The candidate also criticized the current administration's deportation practices, specifically the removal of Cubans, Venezuelans, and Haitians to countries outside their region of origin. She called for clear pathways to citizenship for immigrants. “No debemos tratarlos como ciudadanos de segunda o tercera clase. Debemos tratarlos como seres humanos,” she declared. Nixon also criticized her own party for failing to engage with communities year-round, noting that some Democrats focus their campaigns solely on opposing President Trump. She stated that the Democratic Party has made mistakes by not being present in local areas consistently. She emphasized the need for quality healthcare, affordable housing, and fully funded public schools. Nixon said workers must have a voice in decisions affecting their communities and economies. The candidate defended her record on immigration and healthcare while explaining her alliances with progressive groups. In foreign policy, she reiterated her call for a return to Obama-era diplomacy with Cuba and free elections in Venezuela. Regarding the U.S. operation that led to Maduro's capture, Nixon expressed doubt about Washington's approach while maintaining that the Venezuelan leader must face accountability for crimes against his people.