Mack: Obama's Remarks Are Alarming, Appalling and Dead Wrong

Mack leads letter with 16 of his colleagues to President Obama

WASHINGTON, July 12, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Chairman of the Western Hemisphere Subcommittee Connie Mack (FL-14) today sent the letter below to President Obama, along with 16 of his colleagues, asking the President to recant his recent statements on Venezuela for the benefit of U.S. security and in an effort to set the record straight for countries working against U.S. interests.

"The President's naive remarks are alarming, disappointing and dead wrong," Mack said. "The fact that the Venezuelan regime supports Iran, Syria, and Cuba- all state sponsors of terrorism- alone poses a very serious threat to our national security. Our country was founded on freedom and liberty, and Hugo Chavez stands for everything that America does not. The President's recent comments are just another example of his lack of leadership for this country. I urge the President to stand up for America and recant his statements. The American people deserve better."

The letter highlighted dangerous activity perpetrated by Hugo Chavez in Venezuela, stating that "shipments of gasoline to Iran, arms deals with Russia, protection and support of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), naming a U.S. Treasury designated drug 'kingpin' to a senior position in the government and manipulation of other Latin American leaders and nation's that are actively working against the United States are all threats to our national security perpetrated by Hugo Chavez."

See below for the full text of the letter:

July 12, 2012
The White House
Washington, DC

Dear Mr. President,

We are highly alarmed and deeply disappointed by your recent comments that Venezuela, under Hugo Chavez, poses no threat to the United States.

The Venezuelan regime's material support for Iran, Syria, and Cuba- all state sponsors of terrorism- poses a serious threat to U.S. national security. The counterfeit visas provided by the Government of Venezuela to individuals attempting to do harm to America's freedom have put U.S. citizens in danger of myriad threats to their security. The free flow of government-sanctioned drug activity through Venezuela breaks down stability in our cities and at our nation's borders.

Shipments of gasoline to Iran, arms deals with Russia, protection and support of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), naming a U.S. Treasury designated drug "kingpin" to a senior position in the government and manipulation of other Latin American leaders and nation's that are actively working against the United States are all threats to our national security perpetrated by Hugo Chavez.

Mr. President, we know that the actions of Chavez and his cronies, including their efforts to suppress the freedom and liberty of the Venezuelan people, are systematically designed to both destabilize the Western Hemisphere and cause harm to our national interests and our nation's security.

Sadly, your recent comments on Venezuela serve to embolden and empower Hugo Chavez's iron-fisted grip over the people of Venezuela and his tireless quest to harm our nation. We urge you to recant your statements, and tell the world with clarity and conviction that Hugo Chavez's Venezuela is a threat to the United States and indeed all nations who cherish freedom and democracy.

Sincerely,

Connie Mack
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen
Sue Myrick
Steve King
David Rivera
Mary Bono Mack
Steve Chabot
Michael McCaul
Rob Bishop
Jeff Duncan
Marsha Blackburn
Doug Lamborn
Dan Burton
Jean Schmidt
Mario Diaz Balart
John Mica
Mike Pompeo

SOURCE Office of Congressman Connie Mack