Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, a former Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs, has criticized former U.S. President Donald Trump for what he described as a “cowboy” approach to international affairs, particularly in relation to the arrest and public exposure of Nicolás Maduro, the President of Venezuela.

In an interview on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Tuesday, Akinyemi, who recently turned 84, expressed his disapproval of Trump’s actions, saying that the former president acted as though he were the “policeman of the world.”

A Criticism of U.S. Interference

Akinyemi acknowledged that while Maduro was not a “good fellow,” he argued that this should not justify the United States stepping in to act as the world’s enforcer. The former minister pointed out that many global leaders are far from ideal, but it is not the U.S.’s role to interfere in such matters.

He said, “There are many heads of state who are not good fellows in the world, but nobody has given the U.S. the authorization to act as the policeman of the world in these matters.” He added that the responsibility to remove Maduro should rest with the Venezuelan people themselves.

Condemning the Publicity of the Arrest

Akinyemi’s strongest criticism was reserved for the manner in which Trump’s administration publicized Maduro’s arrest. He took issue with the decision to display pictures of the Venezuelan leader in handcuffs and blindfolded, calling it unnecessary and humiliating.

Akinyemi said, “You have arrested him, do you have to show pictures of him being handcuffed? Being blindfolded?” He further stated that such actions were reminiscent of piracy and that Trump’s behavior was inappropriate. “Trump has behaved like a cowboy, really. There is no other word to describe it.”

The Role of Venezuelans in Their Leadership

Akinyemi emphasized that any change in leadership in Venezuela should have been brought about by the Venezuelan people, rather than external forces. He insisted that the ousting of the former president should be the responsibility of Venezuelans themselves, and not something to be orchestrated by outside powers like the United States.

The former Minister concluded by saying that Trump’s actions were not only wrong but should also be condemned, stressing that the United States had overstepped in its handling of the Venezuelan crisis.