Republican Florida Senator Rick Scott has named Cuba Nicaragua and Colombia as countries he believes the United States can intervene in following the recent military strike in Venezuela and the capture of former president Nicolas Maduro.
Scott made the remarks during an interview on Fox Business this week while reacting to developments in Venezuela where the United States has claimed control despite pushback from interim leader Delcy Rodríguez who previously served as Maduro’s vice president.
President Donald Trump has insisted Washington is now in charge of Venezuela even as his administration sends mixed signals about the next steps. Scott said the operation in Venezuela marked a turning point for the region.
Speaking on the programme Scott said the events in Venezuela would reshape Latin America adding that Cuba and Nicaragua were next on the list and that Colombia would see a change in leadership after elections expected next year. He said the United States was moving toward restoring democracies across the hemisphere.
Despite the removal of Maduro Trump has not publicly called for immediate free and fair elections in Venezuela. Instead he dismissed opposition figure Maria Corina Machado as lacking respect while speaking positively about Rodríguez as his administration shifts attention toward oil interests.
Scott praised Machado and said elections should take place after a transition period to restore democratic governance. He was not alone among Trump allies to mention Cuba. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a warning to Cuban leaders shortly after the Venezuela strikes during a press briefing on Saturday.
Following Maduro’s capture Republican Florida congressman Mario Diaz Balart suggested the governments in Cuba and Nicaragua would not endure for long.
Colombia has been drawn into the discussion ahead of its presidential election scheduled for next year. President Gustavo Petro is constitutionally barred from seeking a second term. He was elected in 2022 in a vote regarded as credible by international observers but has clashed repeatedly with Trump on matters ranging from drug interdiction and immigration to trade.
Trump has accused Petro of allowing cocaine trafficking into the United States. When asked on Sunday whether Colombia could face an operation similar to Venezuela Trump said the idea sounded appealing.
The president has also spoken of possible action against other nations including Mexico and Iran while the White House has not ruled out military involvement in Greenland.
Senior officials from the administration briefed US senators on Wednesday about the Venezuela strike. Democratic lawmakers questioned what would follow Trump’s statement that the United States would run Venezuela even as they criticised Maduro’s rule.
Many Republicans have praised the action while others appear to support broader pressure on governments in the region. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said Trump’s remarks about other countries should be taken seriously warning that nations cooperating with narco terrorism or aligned with China Russia or Iran should take note. He said the United States would act to protect its national security interests.
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