Politics
NEW: Additional Charges Likely Coming Against Nicolas Maduro
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced Tuesday afternoon that deposed Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro could soon be facing additional charges in the state of Florida.
Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, made an initial court appearance in Manhattan federal court on Monday, where they pleaded not guilty to the charges levied against them. Maduro was first indicted in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York on March 26, 2020, with a superseding indictment unsealed on January 3, 2026. He is currently facing four federal charges, including narco-terrorism, and faces up to life in prison.
During a press conference in Clearwater on Tuesday, DeSantis accused Maduro of facilitating the influx of narcotics and Venezuelan gang members, such as those from Tren de Aragua, into the United States, including Florida. He described these actions as “hostile” and suggested that Florida’s statutes on narcotics and “importing” criminals could form the basis for a state criminal case.
“He was obviously very involved with bringing drugs, particularly to Florida,” the governor said. “You know what he would also do? And this is not in the federal indictment in New York — 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.”
DeSantis indicated that no charges have been filed yet but framed the potential state action as a way to hold Maduro accountable beyond the ongoing federal narco-terrorism case in New York. He also referenced past instances where Florida pursued state charges parallel to federal ones, including a recent instance when state charges were filed against would-be Trump assassin Ryan Routh.
The governor noted that he does not have any direct involvement with bringing charges against Maduro, which would be handled by Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier.
While speaking with Fox News’ Jesse Watters, DeSantis commented on the celebrations from South Florida’s Venezuelan American community, which is the nation’s largest. “This has been a long time coming, both Hugo Chavez and Maduro. They tank the country of Venezuela, massive oil reserves, gold reserves, affluent country. And basically, the Marxist takeover destroyed it and destroyed their society so that people were left to eat trash,” he said.
“Millions and millions of people fled out of Venezuela. So this is being greeted very positively.”
DeSantis also reiterated his comments made during Tuesday’s press conference and outlined a potential state case against Maduro.
“I’d also say that I know they indicted him in the Southern District of New York. We also have the right as a state to bring pertinent charges in state court. And we’re working on that. Our attorney general is leading that effort. And you may see charges filed in a place like Miami or Doral, which we’re entitled to do,” the governor said.
