DeSantis discusses Cuba, Venezuela and his future while promoting small businesses
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Summary
In a Q&A, Governor Ron DeSantis said he supported helping pro-democracy movements in Cuba and praised U.S. pressure on Venezuela; he declined to announce new national plans, said he is focused on finishing state priorities, and described a program promoting local restaurants.
Governor Ron DeSantis answered audience questions about Florida's role in potential political changes in Cuba and Venezuela and spoke about his own political future and small-business promotion efforts.
On foreign policy, DeSantis said he supported measures to help people in Cuba and cited a 2021 episode when his office discussed funding a balloon-based internet project to bypass regime shutdowns. He described a preference for supporting exiles and local actors rather than promoting large migration to Florida, saying "we don't want a big migration into Florida" if a transition occurred.
DeSantis also praised U.S. actions on Venezuela and said any post-regime government would pose questions about internal organization and governance. He called a free, rights-respecting Cuban government "a boon" for the island and the region.
Asked about his future, DeSantis said he remained focused on state priorities, noting he is termed out and that he has "a lot on the plate" including budget work and Everglades projects. He declined to make a campaign announcement and said he does not generally position himself toward national runs while serving as governor.
On small businesses, DeSantis described an informal series highlighting family restaurants that he and his team promoted during COVID, saying posts helped some establishments double business. He framed the practice as targeted support for local eateries rather than corporate chains.
These remarks were delivered in conversational Q&A and included anecdotes and personal observations rather than new policy initiatives or formal federal proposals.
