Portrait of Ron DeSantis
Politician · country
Wikipedia (opens in new tab)

Ron DeSantis on Venezuela

State-level prosecution advocate (strong)

TL;DR

Governor Ron DeSantis strongly advocates for state-level criminal charges against the ousted Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro following his capture.

Key Points

  • He stated that Maduro was responsible for destroying Venezuela, turning it from a prosperous nation into one characterized by misery and poverty.

  • The Governor asserted that Maduro deserves to be brought to justice for leading a drug cartel and releasing prison inmates to the U.S. southern border.

  • In January 2026, he announced that Florida is "looking very closely" at the possibility of bringing a state case against the ousted leader.

Summary

Ron DeSantis, the Governor of Florida, recently broke his silence following the apprehension of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, asserting that the state is "looking very closely" at pursuing state criminal charges against him. He condemned the Maduro regime, which he described as Marxist, for destroying what was once a prosperous country, causing misery, repression, and widespread poverty. The Governor linked Maduro to serious crimes, alleging involvement in narcotics, gang activity, and the release of criminals who were sent to the U.S. southern border during the previous administration.

This hardline stance marks an evolution from his earlier position in 2019, when he cautioned against direct U.S. military involvement and stated that removing Maduro was fundamentally a matter for the Venezuelan people to decide their destiny. However, his more recent comments suggest a willingness to use Florida's legal authority, possibly through the state Attorney General's office, to prosecute Maduro based on alleged acts that directly impacted Floridians, such as the flow of drugs and gang members into the state.

Key Quotes

“To me, that is a very hostile act,”

Frequently Asked Questions

Ron DeSantis strongly condemns the former government of Nicolás Maduro, accusing him of destructive Marxist rule and international criminal activity. According to statements made in January 2026, he believes Maduro deserves to be brought to justice for his actions against his people and for contributing to issues like drug trafficking in the U.S.

No, the Governor took a more cautious approach in 2019, advising against sending U.S. troops into Venezuela. He expressed that the ultimate decision to remove Maduro should be seized by the people of Venezuela themselves, though he offered U.S. support.

Speaking in Clearwater in January 2026, Ron DeSantis indicated that Florida's Attorney General is seriously examining the feasibility of filing state criminal charges against Maduro. He cited alleged involvement in narcotics, gang activity, and immigration issues as potential bases for Florida's legal action.