Gov. DeSantis talked to Trump National Security Advisor Bolton as Venezuela crisis intensifies

Gov. Ron DeSantis conferred again with Trump National Security Advisor John Bolton Tuesday amid the collapse of an apparent coup attempt in Venezuela and mounting pressure by U.S. officials on that country’s military and judiciary to oust President Nicolas Maduro.

The governor’s daily schedule – released at 1:04 p.m. – indicated that DeSantis had spoken with Bolton by telephone at 8 a.m. It would have been at least their third communication during April, including a joint appearance during a commemoration of the Bay of Pigs invasion in Miami. DeSantis and members of the Legislature have called for the ouster of President Nicolas Maduro following a disputed election and a crackdown on his political opposition. Last month, the governor and First Lady Casey DeSantis hosted Fabiana Rosales, opposition leader Juan Guaido’s wife.

DeSantis’ schedule also indicated meetings with his chief of staff, Shane Strum; legislative affairs director Stephanie Kopelousos; and Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez.

Communications chief Helen Aguirre Ferre said on April 17: “Gov. DeSantis has regular conversations with Ambassador Bolton on issues of concern for Florida, most of it related to events within the hemisphere.”

As street fighting broke out between Maduros loyalists and the opposition in Caracas, Bolton urged the leaders of the military, judiciary, and presidential guard to renounce Maduro, the Washington Post reported.

President Trump tweeted that he was “monitoring the situation in Venezuela very closely.”