Ibrahim Adjei, a former Assistant Secretary at the Office of the former President of Ghana, Akufo-Addo, has described the removal of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro as a justified consequence of a disputed election, while raising concerns about the political implications of the United States’ method of intervention.
Adjei argued that Maduro’s removal aligns with the will of the Venezuelan people, which he said was undermined during the country’s most recent election.
He stressed that democracy must produce tangible outcomes for citizens rather than exist merely as a concept.
“I support the invasion because Maduro is reaping the consequences of what he did. He clearly lost the election,” Adjei noted, insisting that the electoral process curtailed the popular will. He maintained that the development reinforces democratic accountability when leaders act against the mandate of the people.
Despite his support for Maduro’s ouster, Adjei has cautioned against an uncritical celebration of the operation, warning that the manner in which the Venezuelan leader was removed carries significant political risks. He argued that such actions raise broader questions about sovereignty and the realities of global power politics.
“I am very happy that he is gone. Ultimately, you do not want democracy for its own sake; it must have a real impact and reflect the will of the people. The will of the people was curtailed in the last election that Maduro orchestrated. However, I am not happy with the manner in which he was taken because you have to deal with the realities of politics,” he said.
President Nicolás Maduro is currently being held at a New York detention facility after his capture during U.S. military strikes in Venezuela on Saturday, January 3. He and his wife, First Lady Cilia Flores, were transferred from Caracas to the Metropolitan Detention Centre in Brooklyn to face drug trafficking-related charges, which Maduro has consistently denied.
Following the operation, the Venezuelan government declared a state of national emergency and denounced the action as “military aggression,” heightening tensions as supporters mobilised, and regional actors called for calm.
Meanwhile, Pope Leo on Sunday, January 4, called for Venezuela to remain an independent nation, saying he was monitoring the situation with a “soul full of concern” after the U.S.-led toppling of President Maduro, reflecting growing international unease over the unfolding crisis.
