SLP, Mexico.- The president-elect of the United States, Donald Trump, is considering appointing the governor of Florida as Secretary of Defense, Ron DeSantis, Trump’s former rival in the primary elections.
Trump spoke with DeSantis about the matter this Tuesday, an undisclosed source told the outlet. The Washington Post.
Although Trump’s team has publicly supported Pete Hegseth, a former Fox News host and military veteran, the Republican is considering other options.
According to The New York TimesTrump has told people close to him that he likes the idea of choosing DeSantis, since it would be a “great story” to appoint him after defeating him in the elections.
He also praised DeSantis’ ability to lead the state of Florida, mentioning that he is “a Navy guy.”
Along with DeSantis, Trump considered the possibility of considering Michael Waltz, the Florida congressman he chose as his National Security Advisor, as another option, but people close to the president-elect believe that DeSantis is his favorite alternative if he does not choose Hegseth.
So far, it is unclear whether DeSantis would accept the post.
The people of Cuba are engaged in the noble cause of fighting against a communist dictatorship. One of the most effective things we can do as a country to support the Cuban people is to get internet connectivity back on the island. Time is of the essence in Cuba.
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) July 15, 2021
In the event that the appointment occurs and accepts, the lieutenant governor Jeanette Nunez would succeed him, and would become the first female governor – and a Cuban-American – to lead Florida, he highlighted. The New Herald.
DeSantis and the Cuban regime
During his career as head of the Sunshine State, Ron DeSantis has repeatedly condemned the regime of Havana.
In 2018, when he was a candidate for governor, he made his anti-Castro position clear, calling for more pressure on the dictatorship and expressing his desire to visit a Cuba free.
The Republican also made firm statements in May 2022, following the White House’s announcement to resume rapprochement with the regime now headed by Miguel Díaz-Canel.
I urge President Biden to assist in providing internet access to the people of Cuba standing up against communist oppression and demanding a voice after decades of suffering under a cruel dictatorship.https://t.co/fjSKNxuchW pic.twitter.com/br4iPHZ4k1
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) July 14, 2021
“Biden’s plan to prop up the Cuban dictatorship represents another failure when it comes to defending freedom in our hemisphere (…) Tourism money will end up in the pockets of the Cuban regime and will help strengthen the government against those who seek freedom of Cuba,” he expressed.
Two months later, he alerted American businessmen about the new scam prepared by the communist nomenclature, hiding behind a supposed “private sector.”
DeSantis reminded potential investors that in Cuba citizens do not have property rights and all companies are controlled directly or indirectly by the regime.
As governor of the state of the sun, he is aware that the largest Cuban community outside the Island resides in southern Florida, a community of which the historical exile is part, in addition to many exiles who suffered persecution and repression at the hands of Castroism. .