Roger Carstens, former U.S. Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs, told CBS' 60 Minutes he does not view Nicolás Maduro as a "bloodthirsty drug dealer," despite the Trump administration's depiction. Carstens said his priority in meeting Maduro was to secure Americans' release and that Maduro appeared pragmatic rather than violent. He noted his judgment is limited by classified information and said he will follow how prosecutors build their case. The remarks come after reports that Maduro was taken into U.S. custody and amid recent U.S. strikes on Venezuela.
Former U.S. Hostage Envoy Says He Didn't See Nicolás Maduro As 'Bloodthirsty Drug Dealer'
Former Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs Roger Carstens spoke to CBS' "60 Minutes" about the Trump administration's Venezuela military strikes.
Roger Carstens, the former U.S. Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs, told CBS' 60 Minutes that he does not personally view Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro as "a bloodthirsty drug dealer," a description advanced by the current U.S. administration. Carstens — who served in both the first Trump administration and under President Biden — said he was not surprised by reports that Maduro had been taken into U.S. custody on Saturday.
"I don't think so," Carstens said when asked whether he agreed with the administration's violent portrayal of Maduro. "I'm not naïve to the crimes that were committed by the regime writ large… but being the person in the room with President Maduro, my job was to get Americans back and that's best done by building a very human relationship."
Carstens' Perspective and Limitations
Carstens explained that his interactions with Maduro were focused on securing the safe release of Americans. In those meetings, he said, Maduro struck him as pragmatic and problem-focused rather than a "bloodthirsty maniac." Carstens also cautioned that his assessment is limited by what he was cleared to see: some evidence remains classified or compartmentalized.
Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro and his wife were apprehended by U.S. military forces on Saturday.
On allegations linking Maduro to international drug trafficking, Carstens said the material he reviewed did not portray Maduro as a "hard-core" drug trafficker, though he said he would watch closely to see how prosecutors present and prove any charges.
Hostage Negotiations And Political Context
While serving in the Biden administration, Carstens participated in several high-profile negotiations with Venezuelan officials, including a 2022 exchange that returned seven Americans in exchange for two nephews of Maduro's wife. His comments come amid heightened tensions: President Donald Trump confirmed U.S. military strikes against Venezuela on Saturday and has said the U.S. will "run" the country until a legitimate leader replaces Maduro.
Fox News Digital reached out to the White House for comment. The interview with Carstens aired on CBS' 60 Minutes.
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