Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) ratcheted up the rhetoric against Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, warning the narco-terrorist to flee the country as the United States intensifies its campaign of pressure, which now includes a significant military presence and confirmed covert operations.
Appearing on CBS’s 60 Minutes in an episode focused on the boiling-point tensions between Washington and Caracas, Scott forcefully backed President Trump’s “bold action” to combat the flow of deadly drugs from the Maduro regime into the U.S.
“If I were Maduro, I’d head to Russia or China right now,” Senator Scott told correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi. “His days are numbered. Something’s gonna happen, whether it’s internal or external, I think something’s gonna happen.”
READ :South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham: Venezuela Land Strikes A ‘Real Possibility’ In Anti-Drug Ops
The Florida Senator’s remarks come amid heightened military activity in the Caribbean, including the deployment of U.S. forces and recent American strikes on vessels alleged to be smuggling drugs. When asked directly about the “armada” of U.S. firepower off the coast and the prospect of an invasion, Scott tamped down the idea, saying, “I don’t think so. I mean, if we do—I’d be surprised.”
Scott’s comments followed the administration’s recent acknowledgment that President Trump has authorized the CIA to conduct covert operations inside Venezuela, marking a significant escalation in the policy aimed at regime change.
Scott framed the removal of Maduro as a geopolitical necessity for the entire region. When asked what removing the socialist leader would signal to other regimes, the Senator was unequivocal: “It’ll be the end of Cuba,” as Cuba relies on subsidized Venezuelan oil to prop up its economy.
READ: Trump’s Fiery Warning To Maduro: ‘He Doesn’t Want To F*** Around With The United States’
He concluded with a firm statement on America’s commitment to the hemisphere: “America is gonna take care of the Southern Hemisphere. And we’re going to make sure that there’s freedom and democracy.”
The Trump administration has labeled Maduro a drug kingpin, placing a multimillion-dollar bounty on his head. U.S. officials maintain the aggressive actions are part of a counter-narcotics mission, while critics and observers believe the unstated goal is to force the dictator from power.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.
