World leaders react to US capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro
Leaders around the world responded to the U.S. capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro with both condemnation and support.
Following the large-scale attack on Venezuela on Saturday, Maduro and his wife were captured and removed from the country by US forces. A lawsuit was filed against the couple in New York on drug charges.
In an initial response, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said his government would “shed no tears” for the end of the Maduro regime.
Venezuela’s long-term allies Russia and China, as well as neighboring Latin American countries, also condemned the actions. China said it was “deeply shocked and strongly condemned” the use of force against a sovereign country and its president.
Russia accused the US of committing an “act of armed aggression”.
Iran, which is at odds with Trump over his promise to intervene in his country, described the attacks as “a blatant violation of the country’s national sovereignty.”
Trump said the United States would “manage” Venezuela until it achieved a safe, convenient and reasonable transition.
Many Latin American leaders condemned the US actions.
President Luiz Inacio Lula Da Silva in Brazil wrote to x He stated that the actions “crossed an unacceptable line”, adding that “attacking countries in clear violation of international law is the first step towards a world full of violence, chaos and instability”.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro called the attacks an “attack on the sovereignty” of Latin America, while Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel called it a “criminal attack.”
Chilean President Gabriel Boric expressed his “concerns and condemnations” regarding X and called for “a peaceful solution to the serious crisis affecting the country.”
While Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Cane accused the USA of a “criminal attack”, Uruguay said in its official statement that it was monitoring the developments “carefully and with serious concern” and “as always, rejects military intervention”.
Trump stated that Cuba could be part of the broader US policy in the region and said that Cuba was a failed country. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Cuba is a disaster run by incompetent leaders who support the Maduro administration. He said the government in Havana should be worried
According to Reuters news agency, Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello said, “The world needs to raise its voice about this attack,” and called on citizens to remain calm and trust the country’s leadership and army.
However, Argentinian President Javier Milei, whom Trump described as his “favorite president”, wrote on social media: “Freedom goes forward” and “Long live freedom”.
Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer refused to go into whether the military action violated international law.
In an interview with the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg program on Sunday morning, the prime minister did not condemn the US attacks.
He said he expects to uncover all the facts but “will not shy away from it,” adding that he is a “lifelong advocate of international law.”
Britain was not involved in the attacks and Sir Keir said he had not spoken to Trump about the operation.
Later on Saturday, Sir Keir wrote on X that the UK “views Maduro as an illegitimate president and we shed no tears over the end of his regime.”
“The UK government will discuss the developing situation with our US counterparts in the coming days as we seek a safe and peaceful transition to a legitimate government that reflects the will of the Venezuelan people,” he added.
The EU’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, reiterated the bloc’s position that Maduro lacks legitimacy and that there must be a peaceful transition of power and the principles of international law must be respected.
French President Emmanuel Macron said the transition of power “must be peaceful, democratic and respectful of the will of the Venezuelan people.” Publish on X.
He added that he hopes González, the opposition’s 2024 presidential candidate, can ensure the transition.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the legality of the US operation was “complex” and that international law in general should be applied.
He warned that “political instability must not be allowed to arise in Venezuela.”
A spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was “deeply concerned about the lack of respect for the rules of international law.” He was “deeply alarmed” by the strikes, which set a “dangerous precedent”.
“He called on all actors in Venezuela to engage in inclusive dialogue with full respect for human rights and the rule of law.”
“Let me be clear, Maduro is an illegitimate dictator, but launching military action without congressional authorization, without a federal plan for what happens next is reckless,” said Democratic Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer in the US.
