U.S. Representative Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) announced on social media that she was not invited to Friday’s press conference held by the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. She wrote: “Laughing that the Congressional Hispanic caucus did not invite me to their Press conference. I guess I’m the wrong type of Hispanic. This is a pro-Maduro press conference.”
Laughing that the Congressional Hispanic caucus did not invite me to their Press conference. I guess I’m the wrong type of Hispanic. This is a pro-Maduro press conference.
— Anna Paulina Luna (@realannapaulina) January 9, 2026
Note: The Congressional Hispanic Caucus members are Democrats, while the Congressional Hispanic Conference consists of all Republican members. It was the Democrats who held the press conference to which Luna refers, objecting to President Trump’s ordering the military to capture Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro without congressional approval. They are also against Trump’s threats to other countries in the region, including Mexico, Colombia and Cuba.
Chairman Rep. Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) will lead CHC members in a press conference to discuss a forward-looking approach to governance, democracy and human rights in Venezuela. https://t.co/1OLPbbeJVr
— Congressional Hispanic Caucus (@HispanicCaucus) January 9, 2026
Note: Luna is a members of the Republican Congressional Hispanic Conference, along with Mario Diaz-Balart (FL), Tony Gonzalez (TX), David Valadao (CA), Maria Elvira Salazar (FL), Juan Ciscomani (AZ), Monica De La Cruz (TX), Gabe Evans (CO) and others.
Republicans for National Renewal amplified Luna’s complaint, replying: “The Congressional Hispanic caucus routinely meets with representatives of far-left, Maduro-associated regimes in Honduras, Colombia and Chile.” (Former Trump DOJ official Mark Ivanyo is one of the founding members of RNR and is the executive director of the organization.)
Luna’s upcoming schedule includes meetings with foreign lawmakers from Russia, a country that also has ties to governments in Venezuela, Honduras, Colombia and Chile.
Luna announced earlier this week that she has “received authorization from the State Department for four members from the Russian Duma to come meet with members of Congress.” The Congresswoman thanked Secretary of State Marco Rubio for facilitating the meeting.