Republican Sen. Rick Scott claimed the Trump administration’s pressure campaign against Venezuela will also cause the end of the Cuban regime.
“It will be the end of Cuba,” Scott said in an interview with CBS News’ 60 Minutes, which noted that Havana “relies on subsidized Venezuelan oil to prop up its economy.”
“America is going to take care of the Southern Hemisphere. And we’re going to make sure there is freedom and democracy,” Scott added.
Scott also threatened Venezuela’s authoritarian President Nicolas Maduro in another passage of the interview, saying he should “heat to China or Russia.”
“Something is going to happen,” Scott told CBS News’ 60 Minutes. “Whether it’s internal or external.”
Asked if the U.S. is “about to invade” Venezuela, Scott said it is unlikely to happen. “I don’t think so. If we do, I’d be surprised.”
However, the Trump administration continues to increase its presence in off the Venezuelan coast. There is currently a U.S. destroyer in Trinidad and Tobago, a country located less than 10 miles from the South American country, and the largest aircraft carrier is on its way to the region.
Military drills conducted by the U.S. along with forces from Trinidad and Tobago is taking place until October 30, with the Caribbean country noting that the development “highlights the U.S.’s commitment to regional security and cooperation in the Caribbean.”
The Venezuelan regime, in turn, said the exercises are “aimed at provoking war.” “false flag attack is underway in waters bordering Trinidad and Tobago or from Trinidadian or Venezuelan territory to generate a full military confrontation with our country,” said Vice President Delcy Rodriguez. She did not give any evidence to back the claim.
Originally published on Latin Times
