Global outcry and division: World reactions to US strikes and Maduro's capture in Venezuela

China, Russia, Iran, Brazil, Cuba and Mexico condemn, Israel and Ukraine express support, Türkiye says it is closely monitoring developments

Türkiye stresses stability in Venezuela, calls on all parties to 'act with restraint' in wake of US strikes Türkiye said Saturday that it places importance on stability in Venezuela and on the peace and well-being of the Venezuelan people. "In order to prevent the current situation from leading to adverse consequences for regional and international security, we call on all parties to act with restraint," said the country's Foreign Ministry in a statement following US strikes on Venezuelan soil and the reported capture of its president, Nicolas Maduro. Stating that Ankara is "closely" following recent developments in Venezuela, the statement expressed Türkiye's readiness to help solve the crisis there within the framework of international law. "In this process, our Embassy in Caracas continues uninterrupted communication and necessary coordination with our citizens in the country," it concluded. Earlier, Venezuela’s government accused the US of attacking civilian and military installations in multiple states, and declared ‌a national ‌emergency. On his social media platform Truth Social, US President Donald Trump confirmed that the US had conducted a "large scale" strike, adding that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife had been captured and flown out of the country. The attacks came after months of tension with the US, which accused Maduro of being involved in drug trafficking. Maduro denied being a cartel leader and had expressed readiness to hold talks.   New York Mayor Mamdani describes events as an 'act of war' New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani said on Saturday that he telephoned President Donald Trump “directly” to voice opposition to what he called a “pursuit of regime change” in Venezuela after the capture of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife in an overnight operation. “I called the president and spoke with him directly to register my opposition to this act,” Mamdani told reporters during a press conference. He said his objection was rooted in opposition to a “pursuit of regime change” and actions he believes violate federal and international law that should be upheld consistently. Earlier in the day, Mamdani posted on the US social media company X, calling the US operation in Venezuela “an act of war” and a “blatant pursuit of regime change.” “I was briefed this morning on the U.S. military capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, as well as their planned imprisonment in federal custody here in New York City,” Mamdani wrote. “Unilaterally attacking a sovereign nation is an act of war and a violation of federal and international law,” he added. The mayor stressed that such “blatant pursuit of regime change” not only affects those abroad, but its impact extends beyond Venezuela and could directly impact tens of thousands of Venezuelans living in New York. “My focus is their safety and the safety of every New Yorker, and my administration will continue to monitor the situation and issue relevant guidance,” he added.   China China on Saturday slammed the US for “hegemonic acts” against Venezuela and its President Nicolas Maduro, referring to military strikes and the leader's capture, urging Washington to abide by the UN Charter. “China is deeply shocked by and strongly condemns the US’s blatant use of force against a sovereign state and action against its president,” a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said. The remarks came after US President Donald Trump said Washington carried out a "large scale strike" against Venezuela, and that Maduro and his wife were captured and flown out of the country. “Such hegemonic acts of the US seriously violate international law and Venezuela’s sovereignty, and threaten peace and security in Latin America and the Caribbean region. China firmly opposes it,” the spokesperson said. “We call on the US to abide by international law and the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and stop violating other countries’ sovereignty and security,” the spokesperson said. Earlier, Venezuela’s government said the US attacked civilian and military installations in multiple states, and declared ‌a national ‌emergency. The attacks came after months of tension, as the US accused Maduro of being involved in drug trafficking. Maduro denied being a cartel leader and had expressed readiness to hold talks. Separately, China’s Foreign Ministry and the Chinese Embassy in Venezuela advised citizens to temporarily refrain from traveling to the Caribbean country. Chinese nationals and institutions in Venezuela are advised to closely monitor the local security situation, strengthen safety precautions and emergency preparedness, and avoid unnecessary outings, a statement said.   Russia Russia on Saturday reaffirmed its support for the Venezuelan government and dismissed reports of Vice President Delcy Rodriguez's presence in the country as a "hoax" following a top-level phone call, the Foreign Ministry said. After speaking with Rodriguez, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov expressed Russia's "firm solidarity with the people of Venezuela in the face of armed aggression," the ministry said in a statement regarding the conversation. The ministry separately told state-run news agency Tass that recent claims suggesting Rodriguez was physically present in Russia were false.   Iran Iran has strongly condemned the US attack on Venezuela, describing it as a “blatant violation” of the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. “The US military attack on Venezuela constitutes a clear violation of the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter and the basic rules of international law, particularly Article 2, Paragraph 4 of the Charter, which prohibits the use of force,” the Iranian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Saturday. It “condemned the United States’ military aggression against Venezuela and the blatant violation of the country’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity,” it went on. The attack is “a textbook example of an act of aggression that must be explicitly condemned immediately by the United Nations and by all states concerned with upholding the rule of law, peace, and international security,” the statement added. The ministry also reaffirmed Venezuela’s “inherent right to defend its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and right to self-determination.”   Colombia The US Embassy in Bogota on Saturday warned US citizens "not to travel to Venezuela" and urged those already there to shelter in place. The travel advisory came as US President Donald Trump said that Washington "successfully" carried out a "large scale strike" against Venezuela, claiming that President Nicolas Maduro and his wife have been captured and removed from the country. The embassy said Venezuela remains under the highest travel advisory level — Level 4: Do Not Travel — citing severe risks to Americans, “including wrongful detention, torture in detention, terrorism, kidnapping, arbitrary enforcement of local laws, crime, civil unrest and poor health infrastructure.” The travel advisory strongly encouraged all US citizens in Venezuela to “depart immediately.” “In March 2019, the U.S. Department of State withdrew all diplomatic personnel from U.S. Embassy Caracas and suspended operations. All consular services, routine and emergency, remain suspended. The U.S. government has no ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Venezuela,” it noted.   Belarus Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko on Saturday "categorically" condemned the US attack on Venezuela that led to the capture of President Nicolas Maduro. "The President of Belarus categorically condemns the act of American aggression against Venezuela," Natalia Eismont, Lukashenko's press secretary, told state news agency Belta. "Alexander Lukashenko spoke about the consequences just recently in an interview with American journalists. Specifically, he said that 'this will be a second Vietnam.' And the Americans don't need that," she added. The Foreign Ministry also condemned the attack, underlining "direct threat to international peace and security." "Belarus expresses its unwavering support for the legitimate government of Venezuela and joins the call for an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council, which bears primary responsibility for maintaining peace,” a statement said. The ministry said the Venezuelan people’s right to "independently determine their destiny is inviolable." "No form of external intervention, especially force, can be justified," the statement said.   France A transition in Venezuela following the US capture of President Nicolas Maduro must be peaceful and respectful of the will of the Venezuelan people, said France’s president on Saturday. "The upcoming transition must be peaceful, democratic, and respectful of the will of the Venezuelan people," Emmanuel Macron wrote on the US social media company X, accusing Maduro of "trampling on fundamental freedoms." Saying that Maduro "gravely undermined" the dignity of his own people," he added that the Venezuelan people can only rejoice after Maduro's capture by the US. Macron said he hopes opposition leader Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia swiftly ensures this transition. "I am currently exchanging with our partners in the region. France is fully mobilized and vigilant, including to ensure the safety of its nationals during these uncertain times," he added.   Israel Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar claimed in a statement on X that the United States, under President Trump’s leadership, is acting as “the leader of the free world.” Saying that Israel stands with the “suffering Venezuelan people,” Saar welcomed Maduro’s overthrow and expressed hope for friendly relations between Israel and Venezuela. Israel had previously criticized the Maduro administration and welcomed the awarding of the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize to Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado. Machado’s open support for Israel and her close ties with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government have been on the international agenda.   Ukraine Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said in a post on X that his country does not recognize the “legitimacy” of the Maduro administration and supports developments that prioritize the interests of Venezuelans. Stating that Ukraine always defends the right of nations to live free from dictatorship, oppression, and human rights violations, Sybiha claimed that the Maduro government violates these principles in every respect. He emphasized that Ukraine does not view the Maduro administration as legitimate, adding: “The Venezuelan people should have a chance for a normal life, security, prosperity, and a life worthy of human dignity. We will continue to support their rights to normal life, respect, and freedom.”   EU The EU foreign policy chief on Saturday called for restraint after US strikes in Venezuela, saying "under all circumstances" principles of international law must be respected. "I have spoken with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and our Ambassador in Caracas. The EU is closely monitoring the situation in Venezuela," Kaja Kallas said in a post on US social media platform X. Reiterating the EU's position regarding the need for transition in Venezuela, she said: "The EU has repeatedly stated that Mr Maduro lacks legitimacy and has defended a peaceful transition." "Under all circumstances, the principles of international law and the UN Charter must be respected. We call for restraint," she urged. She noted that the safety of EU citizens in the country is "top priority."   UN warns of worrying regional consequences The UN human rights chief on Saturday said he is alarmed by the situation in Venezuela after US strikes and the capture of the country's president and first lady. "Volker Turk alarmed by U.S. intervention in Venezuela. We urge everyone to exercise restraint and fully respect the UN Charter and international human rights law," the human rights office said in a post on the US social media platform X. "The protection of people in Venezuela is paramount and must guide any further action," the office urged.   European countries European governments and officials on Saturday called for de-escalation and respect for international law after US strikes on Venezuela and the capture of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, raising concerns over regional stability and civilian safety. The Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs urged “de-escalation, restraint, and respect for international law, including the prohibition of the use of force and the principle of respect for territorial integrity." On the US social media platform X, the ministry added that the situation is being closely monitored by its embassy in Caracas and that "no Swiss nationals have been affected." Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof said, also on X, that his government is closely following developments, stressing that "security in the region is of great importance" and voicing support for authorities on the Caribbean islands "in these uncertain times." For his part, Slovak President Peter Pellegrini warned that "any attack on a sovereign state and its representative without a mandate from the United Nations Security Council constitutes a serious violation of international law regardless of the regime governing the targeted country," cautioning that it could destabilize other regions. "Such actions create a precedent that may destabilize other regions of the world as well," Pellegrini said on X. Denmark’s Foreign Ministry quoted Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen as saying the developments were "dramatic” and that "international law must be respected." The ministry said on X that Rasmussen also called for de-escalation and dialogue.   Events in Venezuela show world moving ‘backward geopolitically' Austrian Vice Chancellor Andreas Babler condemned the US armed attack on Venezuela. "This attack constitutes a serious violation of the prohibition of the use of force enshrined in the UN Charter. It is a matter of our credibility to clearly state this. We must uphold the international rule of law,” Babler said on X. He said Europe is seeing the world "move backward geopolitically," with international structures "disintegrating before our very eyes," arguing that the events in Venezuela show there is no alternative but for Europeans to offer a different model that rejects "the law of the jungle" as a political method. Irish Foreign Minister Helen McEntee said she was in contact with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, stressing the "absolute necessity of full respect for international law and the principles of the UN Charter." "While we have been clear that President Maduro does not have any democratic legitimacy, we have consistently called for a peaceful and negotiated transition in Venezuela, and have supported all international efforts to that end," she said on X. Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob said any military intervention not based on international law "is unacceptable and leads the world into a further spiral of war and violence," adding: "We do not want another war. We do not want civilian casualties and the suffering of the innocent population." On X, Golob reiterated that the EU would remain committed to "the peaceful resolution of disputes," de-escalation, and supporting a peaceful and democratic path for Venezuela. Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot said Venezuelans "deserve a democratic and legitimate regime," while stressing that "international law must be respected, in all circumstances," and calling for de-escalation and the protection of civilians. "The Venezuelians [sic] deserve a democratic and legitimate regime, what they have been lacking with Maduro. Maduro must be held accountable for his actions," he said on X. "At the same time, as tirelessly repeated by Belgium, international law must be respected, in all circumstances. We all have an interest in a respected rules-based order." "We hope for a swift de-escalation and for a peaceful transition. The civilian population must be spared," Prevot added. Portugal’s government also said in a statement that it is closely monitoring the situation through its embassy and consular network, stressing that the “absolute priority is the safety and well-being of the Portuguese community in Venezuela," while calling for reduced tensions and respect for international law and the UN Charter. "Having not recognized the 2024 election results and advocating for the quickest possible return to democratic normality, Portugal calls for a reduction in tensions, respect for International Law and the Charter of the United Nations, as well as the promotion of public safety and tranquility," it said.   Germany Legal assessment of the US strikes on Venezuela will be "complex and requires careful consideration," Germany’s chancellor said Saturday after strikes which included the capture of the South American nation's president, Nicolas Maduro. Friedrich Merz said that international law remains the guiding framework. "The legal assessment of the U.S. intervention is complex and requires careful consideration," he said on the US social media company X. His remarks came after US President Donald Trump said that the US will "run" Venezuela until an interim period following the capture of Maduro. "At this stage, political instability in Venezuela must be avoided. The objective is an orderly transition to an elected government," added Merz. He also accused Maduro of leading his country "into ruin," with the country’s most recent election "rigged," adding that like many other countries, Germany has therefore not recognized his presidency. Earlier Saturday, Left Party (Die Linke) lawmaker Soren Pellmann urged Germany to "clearly and unequivocally" condemn US strikes on Venezuela, calling them a "clear violation" of international law. "The fact that, according to US reports, President Maduro was captured and taken out of the country is a further dangerous escalation and is absolutely incompatible with law and the international order," he said in a statement shared by the party on X. Pellmann said the US attack on Caracas is a "clear violation of international law."   United Kingdom Britain has long favored political change in Venezuela, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said, adding: “We regarded (Nicolas) Maduro as an illegitimate president and we shed no tears about the end of his regime.” Earlier Saturday, US President Donald Trump announced that Washington had carried out a "large scale strike" against Venezuela, and that Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores were "captured and flown out" of the country, en route to the US, where they will face trial. The attacks came after months of growing US pressure on Maduro, who Washington accuses of being involved in drug trafficking. The Venezuelan leader had denied the claims and voiced readiness for talks. In a post on the US social media company X, Starmer said: "I reiterated my support for international law this morning. The UK government will discuss the evolving situation with US counterparts in the days ahead as we seek a safe and peaceful transition to a legitimate government that reflects the will of the Venezuelan people."   Other countries Denmark, Italy, Slovenia, Spain, Ireland, the Netherlands, Kosovo, Switzerland, Czechia, Austria, and Greece also issued statements calling for restraint, de-escalation, respect for international law and the UN Charter, protection of civilians, and peaceful or negotiated solutions. The US air strikes in Caracas and strategic areas, during which Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores were detained, were also protested in Athens, Greece. Hundreds of people who gathered at Eleftheria Park in Athens at the call of various civil society organizations and left-wing parties marched to the US embassy in Athens. Protesters chanted anti-US slogans as they demonstrated against the military air strike targeting Caracas, the capital, and some strategic areas, during which Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were detained. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said in a statement on the social media account of the US-based company X: “Nicolas Maduro led a ruthless and oppressive dictatorship that inflicted unimaginable suffering on the Venezuelan people. The end of his regime brings new hope for the country. Now is not the time to comment on the legality of the latest actions. The priority is to ensure a rapid and peaceful transition to a new inclusive government with full democratic legitimacy.” Mitsotakis said Greece would coordinate on this issue with its allies in the European Union (EU) and the UN Security Council, adding that his country is focused on the safety of Greek citizens in Venezuela. At the protest march, which was joined by the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), banners reading “Support for the Venezuelan people,” “Venezuela will not be the US’s Vietnam in Latin America,” and “We are all Venezuelans” were carried. The march also included Palestinian flags, as support for the Palestinian people was not forgotten. In a written statement titled “The US is also shedding blood in Venezuela. The Venezuelan people will win,” the KKE condemned the US attack in Venezuela and emphasized its support for the Venezuelan people. In a written statement, the opposition Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) said it condemned the attack that resulted in Maduro’s detention, describing it as a violation of international law. The statement said: “Recent interventions in the Middle East have shown us that democracy cannot be imposed through military means and bombing.” Alexis Haritsis, leader of the New Left Party, said in a written statement: “The US attack on Venezuela is not merely a military operation; it is a clear example of aggressive imperialism.” Haritsis said Greece, as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, should condemn the attack on the grounds that it violates the UN Charter. In comments attributed to government sources in the Greek press, it was said that Greece wants to avoid an escalation of tensions. Greece’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on the social media account of the US-based company X that Greece is monitoring the situation in Venezuela in coordination with allies and Greece’s embassy in Caracas. The statement noted that the embassy is also in contact with the Greek community in Venezuela in order to provide support if necessary.   Qatar Qatar said Saturday it is ready to contribute to any international effort aimed at reaching an “immediate peaceful solution” in Venezuela, calling for restraint and de-escalation. In a statement, the Qatar Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed deep concern over developments in Venezuela, following US attacks on the capital, Caracas, and the detention of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife. The ministry urged all parties to exercise restraint, reduce tensions and pursue dialogue to address outstanding issues. It reaffirmed Qatar’s position in support of the UN Charter and principles of international law, including the peaceful settlement of disputes. Doha reiterated its readiness to assist in any international effort aimed at a peaceful resolution, saying it is keen to keep channels of communication open with all concerned parties.   African Union The African Union on Saturday urged restraint and respect for international law following US military attacks on Venezuela. In a statement issued from its headquarters in Ethiopia, the Pan-African bloc said it was following developments in Venezuela with grave concern and warned against any escalation that could threaten regional peace and stability. “The African Union calls upon all parties concerned to exercise restraint, responsibility, and respect for international law to prevent any escalation and to preserve regional peace and stability,” the statement said. The bloc said the situation in Venezuela involves complex internal challenges and stressed that they can only be addressed through inclusive political dialogue among Venezuelans themselves. The bloc also reaffirmed its call for commitment to the principles of state sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the right of peoples to self-determination under the UN charter, and expressed solidarity with the Venezuelan people while reiterating its support for peace and stability.   Reactions from Africa South Africa on Saturday called on the UN Security Council to urgently convene and address the US military strike on Venezuela, and the capture of President Nicholas Maduro and his wife. ‘‘Unlawful, unilateral force of this nature undermines the stability of the international order and the principle of equality among nations,’’ South Africa’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement Saturday. Pretoria further said it notes with grave concern the recent developments in Venezuela and views US actions as a manifest violation of the Charter of the United Nations, which mandates all member states to refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state. It added that the charter does not authorize external military intervention in matters that are essentially within the domestic jurisdiction of a sovereign nation. ‘‘History has repeatedly demonstrated that military invasions against sovereign states yield only instability and deepening crisis,’’ the statement said.