As Trump touts Venezuelan oil, Floridians urge other goals

(The Center Square) – As the White House announced a takeover of Venezuelan oil following the ousting of President Nicolás Maduro, another set of priorities emerged in south Florida, home to hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans.

Lawmakers and advocates for those who have fled Maduro’s regime urged the release of prisoners it has detained for opposing the government. They also called for the removal of his allies, who remain in power.

“Immediately what I’d like to get done is get all the political prisoners out of prison,” Sen. Rick Scott, a Republican, said Wednesday after the administration briefed Congress on its plans. He noted the list includes María Oropeza, who worked on the opposition party’s 2024 campaign.

The Venezuelan government said Thursday it would release an “important number” of political prisoners, including foreigners.

A timeline for elections that could usher in a new regime has not been given, but Scott said the transition is “going to take a while.”

The White House has been mo...