Republican congressional candidate Valentina Gomez has sparked outrage after posting a video advocating for the public execution of undocumented immigrants who commit violent crimes. The video, shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, shows Gomez, a 25-year-old Colombian-American and supporter of President-elect Donald Trump, simulating the execution of a migrant. In the clip, she fires a handgun into the back of the head of a dummy tied to a chair with a black bag over its head.
In the video, Gomez asserts that undocumented individuals who commit violent crimes such as rape or murder should not be deported but “deserve to be ended.” Her statement, which was accompanied by the disturbing imagery of the mock execution, has drawn widespread condemnation. The post quickly went viral, amassing nearly 5 million views before being flagged by X for violating its rules on violent speech, which resulted in the video being restricted.
In response to the platform’s action, Gomez claimed that she was being penalized because she is “the biggest threat to the establishment.” Her comments have sparked heated debates online, with critics calling her rhetoric dangerous and inflammatory. Many have expressed concern that such language could incite violence against immigrants, especially at a time when tensions around immigration are high in the U.S.
The video comes amid growing concerns over crime involving undocumented immigrants. It follows a recent high-profile subway murder in New York City, where Guatemalan national Sebastian Zapeta-Calil was arrested for allegedly setting a woman on fire, which added fuel to the already contentious debate on immigration. Gomez’s remarks have drawn comparisons to those of former President Donald Trump, who has previously proposed extending the death penalty to undocumented immigrants convicted of murder.
Gustavo Petro, the President of Colombia, also weighed in on the controversy, criticizing Gomez for promoting hatred against migrants. On X, he wrote, “She is not just an American fascist. She is Colombian. And being a migrant, what she wants is to unleash hatred against migrants. Most Americans are killed by Americans.”
Gomez, who has built her political identity around far-right views and shock-value statements, has previously made headlines for controversial actions, including burning LGBTQ+ books with a homemade flamethrower. Her remarks on immigration and LGBTQ+ issues have made her a divisive figure in American politics. Earlier this year, she ran for Missouri Secretary of State but failed to gain significant support, securing just 7.4% of the vote. Despite this, she has announced her candidacy for Congress in Texas, where she plans to challenge incumbent Republican Congressman Dan Crenshaw.
What is the controversy surrounding Valentina Gomez’s recent video?
Valentina Gomez posted a video advocating for the public execution of undocumented immigrants who commit violent crimes, which has led to widespread backlash and accusations of inciting violence against migrants.