The recent US action to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has reignited intense discussion on legality and international politics.
Experts Alexander Von Rugen, Global Policy Analyst, and Professor Scott Lucas of University College Dublin, dissected the matter on Hard Facts with Maryann Okon.
The central legal question surrounds the US bypassing Congress’s constitutional war powers.
Von Rugen explains, “The Department of Justice executed an arrest warrant against Maduro—an unrecognized head of state—without requiring congressional approval.”
Maduro faces longstanding narcotics-related charges, with an FBI-led special forces operation backing the rendition attempt.
Professor Lucas highlights the murky international law context: “The EU and several UN members do not recognize Maduro as Venezuela’s legitimate leader, especially following a widely disputed 2022 election.
UK courts have also denied his claims over Venezuelan gold reserves.” This raises sovereignty concerns, with critics warning that US actions, though rationalized, risk breaching international norms.
Historically, the US has enforced the Monroe Doctrine since 1823, asserting influence over the Western Hemisphere and opposing European colonialism.
Von Rugen notes, “Trump’s current policies, dubbed the 'Monroe Doctrine,' aim to limit external powers like Russia, China, and Iran in Venezuela, driven by strategic interests including oil.”
Lucas cautions that the US operation, lacking UN Security Council approval and clear self-defense justification, places Washington at legal risk.
“There is no legal basis for kidnapping a head of state from a sovereign nation unless an imminent threat exists,” he said.
The intervention also reflects domestic politics and strategic posturing.
Von Rugen observes, “The Trump administration, eager to project strength, uses Venezuela as a demonstration case amid broader geopolitical ambitions, including increased US presence in Greenland—a historically strategic military site since World War II.”
Finally, experts agree the US aims less for regime change and more for coercion, seeking to control Venezuela’s government indirectly, as traditional attempts at installing opposition power have failed.
This complex interplay of law, politics, and power highlights the delicate balance between national interests and international norms amid growing global tensions.
