Exclusive: Florida Senator Rick Scott on Why He Thinks the World Is Becoming a 'Very Dangerous Place'

Senator Rick Scott is one of two senators representing the state of Florida on Capitol Hill. A member of the Republican Party, he was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2018 and is currently serving his first term. Prior to his election to the U.S. Senate, Rick Scott served two terms as the 45th Governor of Florida.

Senator Scott talk to The Latin Times about issues of interest to the Latino community in the Sunshine State and the United States in general, including trade and political relations between the U.S. and Latin American countries.

Despite the hard stance of some Republican Party members, Scott says he supports opportunities for Hispanics and given the growing relevance of the community he practices Spanish on a regular basis.

The interview was edited for clarity.

The Latin Times: How do you assess the current state of political and economic relations between the United States and Latin America, especially with countries like Mexico, Venezuela and Colombia?

Rick Scott: The situation in Latin America is terrible and the reason is that (President Joe) Biden is not interested in democracy. He completely abandons those who are fighting for freedom in Latin America. Time and again, when countries like Colombia, Venezuela, Nicaragua and Cuba need U.S. support, Biden chooses appeasement over freedom, security and stability in our hemisphere.

Just yesterday Venezuelans voted in the primary elections and supported the opposition candidate Maria Corina Machado by a large majority, but it is possible that the current government will not allow her to participate in the elections. What do you think the position of the United States should be in this situation?

I congratulate Maria Corina Machado for her victory in the primaries and the brave people of Venezuela for not resting in their struggle to restore democracy. We must continue to fight until free and transparent elections are held in which the will of the people and their rights are respected.

There should be no elections in Venezuela unless they are transparent and internationally supervised (...) in a process that respects human rights, such as the right to demonstrate and express oneself (...) and all political prisoners held by the Maduro regime be released.

When will Biden understand that this regime is a threat to Venezuela, to Colombia, to all of Latin America, and to the national security of the United States?

Mexico is a good ally of the United States, but it is very important that it maintains democracy and freedom for the Mexican people and business opportunities for the United States.- Rick Scott

With regards to Colombia, a country historically plagued by terrorism, the current government has not condemned the recent attack in Israel and, on the contrary, has taken a position against it. What do you think about this position of a country that has traditionally been an ally of the United States?

I am very worried about the future of democracy and stability in Colombia. Gustavo Petro is a far-left socialist who was part of the M19 terrorist group. Petro wants socialism for Colombia, so I am not surprised by his position on Israel. Tell me who you are with and I will tell you who you are. All of our allies should support Israel and condemn the impiety of the Hamas terrorists and the Iranian regime that supports these murderous attacks.

In the case of Mexico, do you think it should be a preferred partner of the United States and an alternative to replace China as the largest trading partner of the United States?

Mexico is a good ally of the United States, but it is very important that it maintains democracy and freedom for the Mexican people and business opportunities for the United States. I think today Mexico is a good trading partner of the United States and should continue to work with the United States.

And how do you see the government of El Salvador and its current relationship with the United States, which seems to be strained?

It is very important that the U.S. government wants to work with all the governments of Latin America and especially with those who want democracy and freedom and are against the attitude of countries like Communist China, Iran and North Korea.

There are voices of personalities like Elon Musk who say that we are on the verge of World War III. Are they alarmists or do you think they might be right?

I hope not, but when we look around the world we see that the situation is terrible. War in Ukraine and Israel and the presence of threatening countries like Communist China, Russia, Iran, North Korea and North Korea against the United States and democracy. The world is becoming a very dangerous place and it is because the governments of these countries hate our way of life and want to destroy it.

Speaking of domestic politics, the U.S. Congress has been unable to pass immigration reform. What should be done to finally get it done?

First of all, it is very important that we have secure borders. Our borders are completely crumbling thanks to Biden's radical policies and his open borders plan. There has to be a plan to encourage legal immigration and prevent illegal immigration, but that does not seem to matter to Biden or the Democrats.

Latinos are growing in numbers in the United States and their vote is being courted by all parties, what should your party's approach be to the Latino community?

The most important thing for Republicans to do is to talk to Hispanics and explain their positions. My experience with Hispanics has taught me that they want good jobs, a good education for their children, and security in their homes and businesses, so I think it is important for all Republicans to reach out and talk to the Hispanic community.

In my personal case, I practice Spanish every day and speak it fluently in public and in private. Hispanics are becoming a majority in the United States and it is very important to make sure they have every opportunity.