US secretary of state, Dutch counterpart discuss 'counternarcotics operations' in Caribbean, situation in Venezuela

By Rabia Iclal Turan

WASHINGTON (AA) - US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Dutch Foreign Minister David van Weel on Monday about "counternarcotics operations" in the Caribbean and the situation in Venezuela, the State Department said.

"The two leaders discussed the United States’ counternarcotics operations in the Caribbean and the need to ensure a proper, judicious transition of power in Venezuela," said the statement.

"Secretary Rubio and Foreign Minister van Weel reaffirmed the close cooperation between the United States and the Netherlands."

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and wife Cilia Flores were captured in an early-morning operation on Saturday by US forces, subsequently flown out of the country and to New York, where they stand trial over drug and weapons charges.