Republican Rep. Makes New Threat To Venezuela's Maduro: 'Can Only Negotiate Not To Have His Plane Downed When Escaping'

Republican Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart again slammed Venezuela's authoritarian President Nicolas Maduro, now saying that he "can only negotiate not to have his plane downed when escaping."

The lawmaker made the claim during an interview with Venezuelan journalist and influencer David Placer.

In a social media publication promoting the conversation, Diaz-Balart also repeated the White House's claim that Maduro is a "criminal" and not a head of State.

"It is a narco cartel that has taken over a great country through force and terror. President Trump is not willing to allow these narco cartels to continue poisoning the U.S. and our young ones, nor to continue posing a threat to the U.S.'s national security. The Cartel de los Soles -and those running it- have little time left," he added.

Diaz-Balart has been slamming both Maduro and Colombian President Gustavo Petro, both of whom are under pressure from the Trump administration at the moment. He criticized the latter over his repeated criticism of the U.S. and the Trump administration. In a social media publication, he claimed that Petro is "doing all he can to destroy relations" between the countries.

Speaking to NTN 24, Diaz-Balart recalled that Petro took part in a protest while attending the United Nations General Assembly and "called for the armed forces to not follow the president's orders."

"He did it here, as a guest. He has continued those insults at the U.S. At the same time, he wants to keep getting funds. He is destroying this special relationship. He has to determine whether he wants to keep it, but it's clear he doesn't. He is doing all he can to destroy it, it's a shame," he claimed.

Diaz-Balart went on to cite reports claiming that Petro has "serious addiction problems." "It has been reported by the press. I don't know if this destructive attitude is a result of his addictions or ideology," he added.

Petro has not given any indication of de-escalating tensions with the Trump administration. On Tuesday he said Trump has to "change his heart" or risk losing future elections.

Petro made the claim in an interview with Univision, prompting claims by detractors that he was threatening to "overthrow" Trump. One of them was Republican Rep. Carlos Gimenez, who claimed that "Petro's threats must be taken seriously." "He is a genuine threat to the safety & security of our hemisphere," Gimenez added in a social media publication.

Petro responded, saying he was not "threatening" Trump. "I'm only saying that Trump must change his heart, going from defending policies of death in the world like the Palestinian genocide, for policies of life. If that change doesn't take place, then the American people will change Trump, because one can't go towards general suicide," he added.