Officials discuss US action in Venezuela at Munich Security Conference

WASHINGTON

Senior US and international officials voiced divergent views Saturday on the US military’s controversial capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro during a panel discussion on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference.

Asked whether he supported the US operation in Venezuela, US Sen. Ruben Gallego, a Democratic member of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, said he was “glad he’s (Maduro) gone,” but warned that the way it was done has serious consequences for the international system.

“The violation of rules-based orders from this should really concern everyone that actually lives, dies and prospers by the rules-based order,” Gallego said, underscoring concerns that the Trump administration move -- carried out without broad international backing -- may weaken global norms.

After months of heightened tensions, the US captured Maduro on Jan. 3, triggering a series of developments, including Delcy Rodriguez being sworn in as interim president, changes to the country’s flagship oil law, and the release of some political prisoners.

Arnoldo Andre Tinoco, Costa Rica's foreign minister, said his country’s experience with Venezuelan migration shaped its perspective.

“When talking about Venezuela, I agree that we have to bear in mind that 8 million Venezuelans left the country. Most of them passed through Costa Rica,” Tinoco said, referencing the ongoing humanitarian fallout from years of political turmoil in Caracas.

Tinoco said a poll done after Maduro’s removal showed 84% of Costa Ricans approved of the US action.

He also outlined Costa Rica’s core areas of cooperation with Washington, citing migration, organized crime and narcotics trafficking, and Chinese investment in security-sensitive areas as shared priorities.

"We are struggling against organized crime and narco trafficking with the support of the US," he added.

Portuguese Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel offered a more nuanced view, reflecting his country’s deep ties to Venezuela through its large expatriate community.

"I have to say that these are very, very important matter for Portugal, because we have a Portuguese community of half million people in Venezuela," he said.

He stressed that respect for international law and the UN Charter is fundamental, even as his government never recognized Maduro’s disputed election.

Rangel acknowledged that Maduro’s ouster represented a break with international norms, but argued that restoring legitimate governance -- rather than returning Maduro to power -- must be the focus.

“There was a break, that international law was broken, but the way to reintegrate, to restore international law, is not to bring again Maduro. So this means that probably is not so white and black as people normally say,” he said.