The detention and sending of Nicolás Maduro to the United States, without the consent of Venezuela or the approval of the UN Security Council, raises questions about the legality of the military action, which experts and certain governments consider a violation of Venezuelan sovereignty, an use of force, and a possible crime of aggression. Legal experts emphasise that, although the United States has the capacity to try a foreign leader in its courts, this does not imply that his arrest is legal. They make a distinction between national criminal jurisdiction and the international responsibilities of the country. The President of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, pointed out that «without a legal basis to carry out an action that affects the sovereignty of Venezuela, the detention becomes a kidnapping.» He also expressed his regret over the fact that the Americans have «undermined the rule of law globally and have disregarded the sovereignty of all of Latin America and the Caribbean.»
