Sunny Hostin Critiques U.S. Actions Against Venezuelan President Maduro
On “The View,” co-host Sunny Hostin condemned the detention of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, referring to it as a “kidnapping” and compared recent U.S. actions in the region to acts of piracy.
Over the weekend, U.S. military and intelligence officials collaborated in an operation named “Operation Absolute Resolve” aimed at capturing President Maduro.
Maduro’s leadership has sparked debate, being viewed by many as a far-left dictatorship. Critics have also voiced concerns over the Trump administration’s approach, suggesting it overstepped its bounds.
Hostin expressed, “It’s not legal because it violates international law, right? The U.S. government has killed over 100 individuals, including civilians and military members from Venezuela, in this kidnapping and captivity. International law doesn’t permit such actions unless Congress declares war, which it hasn’t.”
Continuing her argument, she noted, “This country is founded on the balance of power. You have checks and balances, involving the judicial, executive, and legislative branches. However, this president appears to act without regard for these checks, which is concerning. I’ve never witnessed a regime change attempt like this that has turned out positively for the U.S.”
Later in the discussion, Hostin suggested that oil was a major factor behind the operation, again drawing comparisons to piracy in U.S. dealings in the region.
“Interestingly,” she pointed out, “Venezuela holds 20 percent of the world’s oil — more than Saudi Arabia. For months, Trump has said this issue revolves around narco-terrorism, with drugs being a problem for our country.” She added that if you look at the indictment, it’s centered on drug trafficking.
Hostin raised concerns about the implications of U.S. actions, questioning, “Isn’t anyone troubled that much of what we’re doing feels like piracy? It resembles imperialism. We can invade other nations and take their natural resources, and then what follows? Does that mean someone like Vladimir Putin could go to Ukraine and seize Zelenskiy?”
Co-host Ana Navarro echoed Hostin’s critiques but acknowledged the sentiments among many in South Florida, particularly within the Venezuelan, Nicaraguan, and Cuban communities in the diaspora. She stated, “This is a monumental day for us. Witnessing a dictator, who has oppressed the Venezuelan people for 25 years, arrested is profoundly moving.”
However, she also expressed mixed emotions regarding the operation’s success, highlighting, “You can be critical and still celebrate the fact that this cruel figure is out of Venezuela. So many Venezuelans have fled his tyranny.”
The White House was contacted for a reaction to Hostin’s comments. A spokesperson emphasized that over 60 countries view Maduro as an unjust leader and pointed out that the Biden administration was acting on information leading to his arrest. “Trump showed courage in holding Maduro accountable for narcoterrorism against the U.S.,” they stated, adding that criticisms from liberal commentators are unwarranted given the context of the situation.
