Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has reacted strongly to the reported arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife by former United States President Donald Trump.
Gumi’s reaction came shortly after news of the arrest began to spread. He focused his response on what he described as the abuse of global power.
According to him, powerful nations now act beyond limits and target entire countries, not just individuals.
In a post shared on his Facebook page on Saturday, the cleric described the action in harsh terms.
He wrote, “Supreme banditry doesn’t attack villages, they attack nations and kidnap leaders,” a statement widely seen as a direct swipe at Trump and the United States.
Gumi’s comments quickly drew attention due to his long-standing criticism of Western military and political influence, especially in developing countries.
He has often argued that global powers destabilize weaker nations under the guise of security and justice.
The arrest of Maduro marks a major escalation in the long-running tension between the United States and Venezuela. The Venezuelan leader has been accused by Washington of involvement in international drug trafficking and other transnational crimes. These allegations have been repeatedly denied by Maduro and his allies.
Only months ago, the United States significantly increased the reward offered for information leading to Maduro’s capture.
The bounty was raised to $50 million, making it one of the highest ever placed on a sitting head of state. The move was condemned by several governments and political groups across the world.
Trump, who announced the arrest through his personal platform, presented the action as a major victory against global crime.
However, critics argue that the move undermines international law and national sovereignty.