CaliToday (19/11/2025): Senator Rick Scott delivered a blistering declaration on Newsmax, asserting that President Trump is ready to take decisive, uncompromising action against Nicolás Maduro, whom Scott categorically described not as the legitimate leader of Venezuela, but as the head of a transnational criminal organization responsible for trafficking drugs and people directly into the United States.
Appearing on The Record With Greta Van Susteren, Scott firmly stated that President Trump is "100 percent committed" to dismantling the drug and human trafficking networks controlled by Maduro. He emphasized that in his view, and that of the potential Trump-Vance administration, the legitimate President of Venezuela is Edmundo González, while Maduro is merely a "cartel boss."
Scott outlined the clear ultimatum President Trump intends to deliver to Maduro: "You need to get out of Venezuela right now. Your time is up. Unless you run to Russia or China quickly, you will be arrested and brought to the United States."
The Senator argued that a Trump administration would mark a stark departure from the policies of the Biden and Obama years, as President Trump will genuinely hold Maduro accountable for his crimes. Scott highlighted that Maduro is currently indicted in New York on drug-terrorism charges, meaning his arrest and extradition are fully lawful actions if the opportunity arises.
His warning was chillingly direct: "If he doesn't run fast enough, he will be arrested and he will be in a United States jail. That's what will happen."
Scott predicted Maduro would ultimately be forced to flee Venezuela, joining the ranks of other toppled dictators. He drew a historical parallel to the case of Manuel Noriega in Panama—a clear precedent for the US willingness to act when a regime poses a threat to national security.
The Senator also focused on the humanitarian catastrophe Maduro has inflicted upon the Venezuelan people. He spoke of children sleeping on the streets, citizens starving to death, and women and children being trafficked across borders. Scott emotionally stated: "How does a human being go to bed at night knowing that they caused a little girl to be hurt, a little baby to die because they didn't have medicine, or a child to starve to death? That's exactly what Maduro has done."
Scott concluded with a resolute statement: "Whatever way he gets out of power, it will be a good day for the world."