MIAMI -- Flanked by his squad of powerful Cuban-American supporters, including Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and former Sen. Mel Martinez, presidential aspirant Mitt Romney made an appeal to Hispanic voters in Florida that if elected president, he would take a much more aggressive stance against the Communist regime in Cuba than the current Obama administration.

"If I'm fortunate to become the next president of the United States it is my expectation that Fidel Castro will finally be taken off this planet," Romney said to emphatic applause from the crowd of 500 gathered at the Magic City's landmark building, the Freedom Tower. "I doubt he'll take any time in the sky. He'll find a nether region to be more to his comfort."

Romney also criticized President Obama's "appeasement" of a U.S. trade embargo and travel restrictions that have been opposed by the majority of Cuban-American Republicans. (read more)

MIAMI-- U.S. Congressman Connie Mack IV officially announced Monday that he is running in the GOP primary for U.S. Senate.

" I am going to run for the United States Senate because, frankly, I think the people of Florida have had enough, " Mack said to FOX News host Sean Hannity.

" The people of the state of Florida want somebody who believes in them, not in somebody who believes in more government, " Mack said in a shot against incumbent Democratic Senator Bill Nelson.

"It's important that Senator Nelson does not win a third term in the United States Senate. We can't afford him in the state of Florida and in the country and I think I'm best positioned to beat Senator Nelson," Mack said.

Mack still faces a GOP field that includes former U.S. Senator George LeMieux, state House Majority Leader Adam Hasner, retired Army Colonel Mike McCalister, and businessman Craig Miller. However, a recent Quinnipiac poll showed Mack with a large lead, ahead of his closest opponent by 23 percenage points among GOP primary voters.

Hasner, who has received endorsements from several influential conservative organizations, like Freedomworks and Red State, quickly issued a statement following Mack's announcement. (read more)

MIAMI, FL- The new GOP front-runner in the race for U.S Senate in Florida called for an American travel embargo to Venezuela following the kidnapping of Washington Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos.

"Since the State Department will not act, I would tell all Americans to cease traveling to Venezuela and for businesses to reconsider operating there as a matter of personal safety for their employees, " U.S. Congressman Connie Mack said in a statement to FOX.

Mack also criticized President Barack Obama for not taking a stronger approach against Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez who has been a lighting rod for conservative detractors in the United States over controversial measures he has taken against opposition groups while in power. (read more)

MIAMI, FL-- Florida Congressman Connie Mack IV is reversing himself, and will run for U.S. Senate, FOX News has confirmed.

"Yes. He is running for U.S. Senate, and he is making phone calls and assembling a team," Mack's senior adviser David James tells FOX. " He will have more to announce in the coming weeks ahead."

Last March, Mack surprised many when he officially decided not to enter the GOP fray after citing his desire to spend more time with his wife California Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack, and their young children.

The GOP field currently consists of former Florida Majority Leader Adam Hasner, retired Army Colonel Mike McCalister and former U.S. Senator George LeMieux. Florida Senate President Mike Haridopolos, exited the race after being an early front-runner.

The winner of the GOP primary will face U.S. Senator Bill Nelson, the incumbent, and highest-ranking Democrat out of Florida, who is up for re-election in 2012.

Mack has endorsed former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney for president, and is serving as one of his co-chairmen in Florida. (read more)