Carney reacts to arrest of Venezuelan dictator

Canada condemns Venezuelan dictator Maduro’s regime but avoids endorsing the move that put the leader in U.S. custody.

Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro was taken into U.S. custody over the weekend and is now facing multiple criminal charges in New York, including drug trafficking and weapons offences. The move follows years of U.S. allegations that Maduro oversaw a narco-state tied to cocaine trafficking into North America.

Following the arrest, Prime Minister Mark Carney released a statement condemning Maduro’s “criminal and illegitimate” regime, pointing to systematic human rights abuses, corruption, and the disputed 2018 election. While welcoming an opportunity for democracy and stability in Venezuela, the statement avoided any direct endorsement or criticism of the action that led to Maduro’s removal.

The Trump administration says Maduro is an indicted narco-terrorist and that the United States will now focus on stabilizing Venezuela ahead of eventual elections, brushing aside warnings from the United Nations about international precedent. Some U.S. officials have suggested the move could signal a tougher stance toward other authoritarian regimes in the region.

Venezuelan-Canadian commentator Cesar Ante joins Marc Patrone to react to Maduro’s arrest, explain why Venezuelans around the world are celebrating, and discuss what the development could mean for Venezuela’s political future — including whether some members of the diaspora may eventually return home.