'France does not support': Macron on 'method' of Maduro's arrest; West struggles to criticise US

French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday said France “does not support” the “method” used by the United States to oust and capture Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, as Western leaders struggled to respond to Operation Absolute Resolve beyond labelling Maduro a “dictator.

”Also Read | 'I don't shy away': UK PM Keir Starmer dodges condemning Trump's Venezuela strike; had attacked Putin for Ukraine war“The method used by the US to capture Maduro is neither supported nor approved by France,” a French government spokesperson quoted the president as saying during a cabinet meeting, France 24 reported.Macron reiterated that Maduro, who had been ruling Venezuela since 2013 and had repeatedly been accused of rigging elections, was a “dictator,” adding that the strongman’s departure was “good news for Venezuelans.”

The remarks came after US forces carried out a pre-dawn operation inside Venezuela on January 3, detaining Maduro along with his wife, Cilia Flores.Also Read | 'Unilateral bullying': China slams US over Maduro arrest; maintains no country can act as world ‘policeman’ According to the Trump administration, the couple were transferred to a US naval vessel and later flown to New York, where they are expected to face multiple charges, including narco-terrorism, drug trafficking and weapons-related offences, as the case enters the judicial phase.

The swift and precise operation marked the culmination of months of escalating tensions between the United States and Venezuela. Since September last year, Washington has carried out dozens of strikes against vessels it claims were involved in drug trafficking linked to Venezuela.Also Read | Chopper, armoured vehicle: 'Limping' Maduro taken to New York court - watch video; what are the charges against him These operations reportedly resulted in more than 115 deaths, prompting legal experts to raise concerns over possible violations of international law.