Governor Ron DeSantis told attendees that Florida is "looking very seriously at the statutes" to determine whether the state could bring action tied to allegations that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was involved in narcotics trafficking and released prisoners who later harmed Americans.

"We're gonna look very seriously at that," DeSantis said, referring to statutes that could support a state-level case alleging that Maduro "imported the criminal element" by emptying prisons and sending individuals north. He characterized those actions as a "very hostile act" and cited past incidents in which persons from Venezuela were involved in crime in Florida.

DeSantis tied the concern to broader foreign-policy developments across the Western Hemisphere, criticized certain left-leaning regimes, and invoked the 2024 Venezuelan election as illegitimate. He said bringing Maduro to justice was "absolutely appropriate," while also acknowledging limits on what the United States can impose on the internal affairs of another country.

Audience members asked about the logistics and about whether the U.S. should seek regime change; DeSantis replied that liberation of Venezuelans was not something he believed could be imposed by the United States and reiterated that legal options being studied would focus on statutory avenues available to the state.

Next steps: DeSantis said Florida officials, likely through the attorney general's office, are reviewing statutes and that his administration will continue evaluating legal options. No formal filing or legal action was announced at the event.