The former hostage-taker challenged Trump’s administration over Maduro’s portrayal
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Former Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs Roger Carstens told CBS’ “60 Minutes” that he does not consider Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro a “bloodthirsty drug dealer” despite the Trump administration’s portrayal of the man.
Carstens, who served under former President Joe Biden and the first Trump administration, told the news program that he was “not shocked” by the news that Maduro had been captured by the US military on Saturday.
Broadcaster Scott Pelley asked Carstens if he agreed with the Trump administration’s aggressive portrayal of Maduro.
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Former Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs Roger Carstens spoke to CBS’ “60 Minutes” about the Trump administration’s military strikes on Venezuela. (Paul Morigi/Getty Images)
“I don’t think so,” Carstens said. “Anyway – let me answer that this way. In a way I can say that I don’t know the crimes committed by the state. And if you are the president of the country you are certainly responsible for what is happening – happening – in your government.”
He continued, “On the flip side, I would say that being a person in the room with President Maduro my job was to give back to the American people and that is best done by building a more human relationship. And in doing so, I did not find him to be a bloodthirsty person. I found him to be a real person, someone who wanted to find ways to solve the problems – his country – that they were facing.”
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Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife were captured by the US military on Saturday. (Juan Barreto/AFP via Getty Images)
Carstens added that he would not describe Maduro as a global drug dealer based on the information he gained about the political leader during his time in power.
“I think that the country has clearly affected drugs – and there is information – I must remain clear – I am clear that I can see a certain amount of information and there is always a storehouse of information that I have never seen or that I will never see because of classification or classification. But what I see was not the most difficult person in the drug business. And I will file a case regarding their case,” said.
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Roger Carstens previously negotiated with Maduro’s government for the release of hostages. (AP Photo/Cristian Hernandez)
During his time in the Biden administration, Carstens participated in hostage exchange deals with Venezuela, including one in 2022 that exchanged seven Americans for two nephews of Maduro’s wife.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the White House for comment.
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President Donald Trump confirmed US military strikes against Venezuela on Saturday. He stated that until a legitimate leader replaces Maduro, the US will “manage” the country.
