CLEARWATER, Fla. — Gov. Ron DeSantis told reporters Tuesday that Florida may pursue unprecedented state charges against Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro, who is now facing federal charges in the U.S.
“He would empty his prisons and send them to America, across the border. And we’d end up with some of these people in Florida -- Tren de Aragua gang members that were in prison there. And he did that. And so, to me, that is a very hostile act,” DeSantis said.
While speaking in Clearwater Tuesday, the governor raised the possibility of a Florida prosecution tied to alleged narcotics trafficking, gang violence and immigration impacts affecting the state.
DeSantis argues Maduro’s actions helped fuel criminal activity in Florida.
Any potential case would be handled by Attorney General James Uthmeier’s office.
While Maduro faces a federal indictment in New York, some Democrats — particularly in South Florida — say a trial in Florida could be appropriate given the state’s large Venezuelan-American community.
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