The arrest of the so-called president Nicolás Maduro and his transfer to the United States following a 2-hour-and-20-minute special U.S. military operation in Venezuela has sparked widespread global debate. Maduro, and before him Venezuela’s former leader Hugo Chávez, had trampled on international law. On September 10, 2009, Hugo Chávez announced that Venezuela recognized the so-called independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, stating: “Our recognition of the independence and sovereignty of Abkhazia and South Ossetia is a completely just and necessary decision.”

Axar.az reports that these remarks were made by political analyst Khagani Jafarli.

“Chávez announced this decision during talks with Russia’s then president Dmitry Medvedev. Later, in July 2010, during an official visit to Venezuela by an Abkhaz delegation, the Venezuelan Foreign Ministry presented an official note recognizing the independence of the ‘Republic of Abkhazia,’ established diplomatic relations, and signed a number of agreements.

Together with Russia, Venezuela was among the small group of countries that voted against UN General Assembly Resolution 68/262 on March 27, 2014, which affirmed Ukraine’s sovereignty over its entire territory and rejected any change in the status of Crimea and Sevastopol. Alongside Syria, Sudan, Cuba, Zimbabwe, Belarus, Bolivia, Armenia, Nicaragua, and North Korea, Venezuela supported the occupation of Crimea. After what happened to Syria and Sudan for supporting the occupation of Crimea, it appears that the turn of justice has now reached Venezuela,” the analyst said.

According to him, at least one third of Venezuela’s population fled the country due to the repression carried out by Hugo Chávez and Nicolás Maduro.

“A UN report noted that since Maduro came to power, eight million people have left the country.

About three years ago, Maduro laid claim to the Essequibo region—rich in oil, gold, and copper—accounting for two thirds of the territory of neighboring Guyana, and declared it Venezuela’s 24th state. New maps prepared on Maduro’s orders showed these territories within Venezuela’s borders. Armed with $10 billion worth of weapons purchased from Russia, Maduro sent troops toward Guyana. After the Biden administration reacted swiftly and threatened military intervention, Maduro was forced to withdraw his forces from the Guyana border.

All this confirms that the regime established in Venezuela since 1999 has been not only anti-humanitarian but also outside the framework of international law. Nicolás Maduro was a bandit who usurped state power. Therefore, international law cannot grant him immunity. Humanity should be concerned only about one thing—the fact that justice has been so late. There is no doubt that the turn of justice will also reach Russia. For now, however, it appears that after Venezuela, Iran is next.”