❓WHAT HAPPENED: Governor Ron DeSantis (R) announced that the Florida Attorney General’s office is considering state charges against Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro, who is currently in U.S. federal custody in New York City.
👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Gov. Ron DeSantis, the Florida Attorney General’s office, Nicolás Maduro, and his regime.
📍WHEN & WHERE: Announcement made on Tuesday at a press conference in Clearwater, Florida.
💬KEY QUOTE: “We also have the right as a state to bring pertinent charges in state court, and we’re working on that.” – Gov. Ron DeSantis
🎯IMPACT: Potential state charges against Maduro could add to the ongoing federal case and hold him accountable for crimes affecting Florida.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) stated on Tuesday that the Florida Attorney General’s office is “looking very seriously” at bringing state charges against Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro. He explained, “We also have the right as a state to bring pertinent charges in state court, and we’re working on that.”
DeSantis noted that the state’s attorney general is leading the effort, and charges could be filed in locations such as Miami or Doral—both of which have large Venezuelan immigrant communities, which would give those who fled their homes because of Maduro a chance for justice. He referenced celebrations in these areas following Maduro’s downfall, calling it a moment that has “been a long time coming.”
Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, are currently detained at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, where they face trial for narco-terrorism charges tied to a cocaine-trafficking operation run through the Venezuelan military. Gov. DeSantis highlighted Maduro’s role in drug trafficking, particularly affecting Florida, stating, “He [Maduro] was obviously very involved with bringing drugs, particularly to Florida.”
DeSantis also criticized Maduro for actions not included in the federal indictment, saying, “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.” He urged the public to “stay tuned” for further developments, hinting at potential state charges.
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