Sunny Hostin Critiques U.S. Actions Against Maduro
Sunny Hostin, co-host of “The View,” recently expressed strong disapproval of the U.S. government’s actions in detaining Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, labeling it a “kidnapping” and drawing parallels to piracy.
Over the weekend, U.S. military and intelligence agencies collaborated in a mission termed “Operation Absolute Resolve” to capture Maduro, whose leadership is often characterized as a far-left dictatorship. Critics have accused the Trump administration of exceeding its legal authority in this operation.
Hostin raised concerns about the legality of the U.S. actions, noting, “The U.S. government killed more than 100 people, both civilians and military, in Venezuela during this kidnapping and capture, and international law does not allow that unless Congress declares war.” She remarked on the foundational principle of checks and balances in the U.S. governance system, emphasizing that the current situation reflects a dangerous disregard for these democratic standards.
In an interesting take, she suggested that oil interests may have been the underlying motive for the operation. “Venezuela owns 20 percent of the world’s oil, more than Saudi Arabia,” she pointed out, suggesting that the narrative around narco-terrorism is, perhaps, misleading. “Isn’t it concerning that what we’re doing could be seen as piracy? It’s like a form of imperialism,” Hostin remarked, provocatively questioning what might happen if other leaders, like Vladimir Putin, decided to intervene similarly in other countries.
Fellow co-host Ana Navarro also voiced her criticism of the Trump administration’s motives. However, she acknowledged that many in South Florida, particularly within the Venezuelan, Nicaraguan, and Cuban communities, might celebrate Maduro’s arrest. “Seeing a dictator who has oppressed the Venezuelan people for 25 years, handcuffed, brought tears to my eyes,” she shared, though she noted the mixed feelings that come with it, reflecting on the complexity of the situation.
The White House responded to Hostin’s critiques by highlighting that over 60 countries recognize Maduro as an illegitimate ruler and praised the efforts that led to his arrest. A spokesperson emphasized that the arrest was a necessary step in addressing narco-terrorism, asserting that President Trump took decisive action in a complex scenario. “Liberal pundits will spin anything to undermine our priorities, but the president’s focus remains on protecting the American people,” they stated.
