“I saw things that other people didn’t. A lot of it was due to growing up in Venezuela and having to learn the way of the streets.”
Anthony Arismendi moved to the United States from Venezuela as a teenager in the mid-seventies with the dream of becoming a US citizen and an FBI agent—despite the fact that he couldn’t speak a word of English.
Transplanted from the dangerous streets of Caracas, Arismendi’s unconventional thinking and out-of-the-box approach to life landed him in plenty of comical, often precarious situations. Still, he adapted his survival skills to a new culture, one harrowing day at a time, overcoming homelessness, prejudice, and poverty to achieve the impossible.
Profoundly inspirational, Arismendi’s unique blend of hard work, perseverance, and mysticism in the face of relentless adversity reminds us that our reservoirs of courage and determination run far deeper than we know—and that we should never give up on our dreams, no matter how out of reach they might seem.
What Readers are Saying
“On the TV show CHiPs, I played California Highway Patrol Officer Poncherello, a Latino hero. Tony Arismendi is the real deal! He’s an awesome, compassionate, spiritual, and courageous human being who conquered innumerable challenges and became an incredible FBI agent.”
”
“Tony Arismendi has lived the American Dream. His tenacious work ethic, strategic thinking, and intelligence enabled him to become a great FBI agent and survive some of the most dangerous undercover assignments that resemble a Hollywood action movie. His exploits leave you on the edge of your seat, cheering for the good guys.”
”
about Anthony Arismendi
Anthony Arismendi is a former FBI agent with a highly decorated and distinguished career spanning two decades of undercover and special operations against drug cartels, gangs, organized crime, violent criminals, and terrorist organizations. He has served as a member of the FBI’s SWAT team, as a supervisory agent in two field offices and FBI Headquarters, and as a unit chief in the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division. Today, he is the President and CEO of ARIXMAR and a sought-after public speaker, sharing his compelling and motivating story with public and private organizations across the country.