The Puerto Rico House of Representatives on Jan. 12 adopted a resolution expressing the legislative body's support for U.S. actions that resulted in the capture and transfer of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro to the United States to face federal charges.

The chamber debated Resolution 5-35 for more than an hour, with lawmakers across parties making floor statements before the measure was put to a roll-call vote. Representative Robles Rivera, sponsor of the floor debate, said the resolution affirms ‘‘the defense of democracy, freedom and human rights’’ and called for accountability for ‘‘the crimes atroces’’ he said Maduro’s regime committed. Opponents, including members of the Puerto Rican Independence Party delegation, argued the measure endorses an intervention that may violate international law and called instead for diplomatic solutions and respect for sovereignty.

The clerk called the roll and recorded 50 votes in favor and 3 against; the presiding officer declared the resolution approved and ordered notification be sent to the U.S. Secretary of State. The resolution’s text, as read into the record, frames the action as support for efforts to hold Maduro accountable on charges that include narcoterrorism and conspiracy to import cocaine into the United States.

Speakers in favor described the arrest as a necessary step toward restoring democratic processes in Venezuela and preventing continued human‑rights abuses; speakers opposed called for adherence to international law and criticized what they described as ‘‘interventionist’’ tactics. Representative Gutiérrez Colón, for example, said the chamber should not ‘‘normalizar’’ military incursions and stressed noninterventionist principles. Representative Parés Otero and other pro‑resolution speakers emphasized the human‑rights and criminal‑justice aspects of the U.S. prosecution.

The House completed the roll‑call vote in the afternoon and instructed that the expression of support be communicated formally to U.S. federal authorities. No formal amendments to the resolution were recorded during the debate; members reserved the right to file explanatory or supplemental statements on the record.