International leaders reacted swiftly on Saturday morning as President Trump confirmed U.S. military strikes in Venezuela and announced the capture of the country’s leader, Nicolás Maduro, and his wife.
Many U.S. adversaries, including some of Venezuela’s nearest neighbors, condemned the strikes, while other governments around the world called for deescalation and voiced concern for their citizens in the Latin American nation.
Colombia
“Alerting the whole world that they have attacked Venezuela,” Colombian President Gustavo Petro wrote in a series of statements posted on the social media platform X.
“The Republic of Colombia reiterates its conviction that peace, respect for international law, and the protection of life and human dignity must prevail over any form of armed confrontation,” Petro said.
In a separate post, he said Colombia “rejects the aggression against the sovereignty of Venezuela and of Latin America”.
Petro later announced the deployment of military forces to the Venezuelan border.
Cuba
President Miguel Diaz-Canel issued a sharply worded condemnation on social media, accusing Washington of carrying out a “criminal attack” against Venezuela and calling for an urgent international response.
In a post on X, Diaz-Canel said Cuba’s so-called “zone of peace” was being “brutally assaulted”, describing the US action as “state terrorism” directed not only at the Venezuelan people but at “Our America” more broadly.
He ended the statement with the revolutionary slogan: “Homeland or Death, We Shall Overcome.”
In a statement posted by various Cuban embassies around the world, Havana said it “denounces the US military attack against Venezuela”.
The statement also “demands an urgent reaction from the international community”, describing the attack as “state terrorism”.
Chile
In a statement posted on X, Chilean President Gabriel Boric Font expressed his government’s “concern and condemnation” of the US military actions in Venezuela.
“We call for seeking a peaceful solution to the serious crisis affecting the country,” he said.
“Chile reaffirms its commitment to basic principles of International Law, such as the prohibition of the use of force, non-intervention, the peaceful settlement of international disputes, and the territorial integrity of States. The Venezuelan crisis must be resolved through dialogue and the support of multilateralism, and not through violence or foreign interference.”
Mexico
In a statement on X, President Claudia Sheinbaum said, “Mexico condemns the military intervention in Venezuela.”
She also included in her post an article in the UN Charter which states: “The Members of the Organization, in their international relations, shall refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations.”
Brazil
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva condemned the US bombings and capture of Maduro as crossing “an unacceptable line”.
“Attacking countries, in flagrant violation of international law, is the first step toward a world of violence, chaos, and instability, where the law of the strongest prevails over multilateralism,” Lula wrote on X.
He added that the US attacks recall the “worst moments of interference” in Latin American politics, threatening peace across the region. “The international community, through the United Nations, needs to respond vigorously to this episode,” he said.
Bolivia
Bolivia’s foreign ministry said in a statement posted on Facebook that the country “expresses its firm and immediate support for the Venezuelan people in the ongoing process of restoring their democracy, reinstating constitutional order, and fully guaranteeing human rights.”
“Bolivia reiterates its commitment to peace, democracy, and coordination with the international community for humanitarian assistance, the protection of the civilian population, and support for a credible and lasting process of institutional reconstruction,” it said.
Guyana
“The Guyana Defence Force and the security forces are monitoring the situation [in Venezuela] and Guyanese should be reassured that the government is working to ensure the safety and security of our citizens,” Guyanese President Irfan Ali commented to local reporters, according to Guyana’s independent news outlet News Room.
“The security architecture is fully active,” Ali said.
Trinidad and Tobago
“Earlier this morning, Saturday 3rd January 2026, the United States commenced military operations within the territory of Venezuela. Trinidad and Tobago is NOT a participant in any of these ongoing military operations. Trinidad and Tobago continues to maintain peaceful relations with the people of Venezuela,” Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar said in a statement.
Ecuador
Ecuador President Daniel Noboa Azin called on Venezuelan opposition leaders and the public to “reclaim your country”.
“The time is coming for all the narco-Chavista criminals. Their structure will finally collapse across the entire continent,” he wrote on X.
“To Corina Machado, Edmundo Gonzalez, and the Venezuelan people: it is time to reclaim your country. You have an ally in Ecuador.”
Uruguay
Uruguay’s foreign ministry said the government is ” following with close attention and serious concern the events that have been reported from Venezuela in recent hours, including US air strikes against Venezuelan military installations and civilian infrastructure.”
“Uruguay rejects, as it always has, military intervention by one country in the territory of another and reaffirms the importance of respecting international law and the UN Charter, in particular the basic principle that States must refrain from resorting to the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations,” it said in a statement.
Argentina
Argentina President Javier Milei said in a media interview following the US attack on Venezuela that this is “the collapse of the regime of a dictator that was rigging elections, that in the last election was badly defeated and, despite that, he clinged on to power.”
“That’s why I’d say that today’s new is excellent news for the free world.”
“[Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia] should assume power. He won the elections, he has a term to fulfil. The president-elect is Gonzalez Urrutia,” Milei said.
Panama
Panama’s President Jose Raul Mulino said, “Respect for the popular will shall prevail over hatred and persecution. Venezuela must be free and democratic again.”
“My government reiterates its support for the democratic process and for respecting the legitimate wishes of the Venezuelan people, expressed decisively at the ballot box, where Mr. Edmundo González was elected,” Mulino wrote on X.
“Panama will always stand in solidarity with peace and with an orderly and legitimate transition process.”
China
China’s foreign ministry said Beijing was “deeply shocked and strongly condemns the use of force by the US against a sovereign country and the use of force against the president of a country.”
“China firmly opposes such hegemonic behaviour by the US, which seriously violates international law, violates Venezuela’s sovereignty, and threatens peace and security in Latin America and the Caribbean. We urge the US to abide by international law and the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and stop violating the sovereignty and security of other countries,” it said.
Iran
In a statement posted on X, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei wrote, “What’s important is when one realises an enemy wants to force something on one’s govt. or nation with false claims, they must stand firmly against that enemy.”
“We won’t give in to them. With reliance on God & confidence in the people’s support, we’ll bring the enemy to its knees,” he added.
In a separate statement, Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it “strongly condemns the American military attack on Venezuela and the flagrant violation of the national sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country”.
Russia
Moscow is deeply concerned and condemned an “act of armed aggression” against Venezuela committed by the US, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. “In the current situation, it is important … to prevent further escalation and to focus on finding a way out of the situation through dialogue,” the ministry said in a statement.
The ministry said, “Venezuela must be guaranteed the right to determine its own destiny without any destructive, military intervention from outside.
“We reaffirm our solidarity with the Venezuelan people and our support for its leadership’s policy of defending the country’s national interests and sovereignty, ” it added.
The ministry also said it was “extremely concerned” about the capture of Maduro and his wife, adding that if such actions took place “constitute an unacceptable violation of the sovereignty of an independent state.”
United States
In a statement posted on X, US Attorney General Pam Bondi said Maduro and his wife have been indicted in the Southern District of New York.
“Nicolas Maduro has been charged with Narco-Terrorism Conspiracy, Cocaine Importation Conspiracy, Possession of Machineguns and Destructive Devices, and Conspiracy to Possess Machineguns and Destructive Devices against the United States. They will soon face the full wrath of American justice on American soil in American courts,” she said.
Meanwhile, Republican Senator Mike Lee said the US has completed its military action in Venezuela after capturing its leader, Maduro.
“He anticipates no further action in Venezuela now that Maduro is in US custody,” Lee wrote on X after what he said was a telephone call with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
United Kingdom
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said his country was not involved in the United States’ strikes on Venezuela and that he wanted to speak with Trump and find out the full facts of what had happened.
“I want to establish the facts first. I want to speak to President Trump. I want to speak to allies. I can be absolutely clear that we were not involved … and I always say and believe we should all uphold international law,” he said in a statement to British broadcasters.
European Union
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas said she has spoken with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the EU ambassador in Caracas regarding the latest developments in Venezuela.
“The EU is closely monitoring the situation in Venezuela,” Kallas said in a statement on X.
“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. The safety of EU citizens in the country is our top priority.”
Spain
Madrid called for de-escalation, moderation and respect for international law in Venezuela, the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement. It also offered itself as a negotiator to help find a peaceful solution in Venezuela.
Germany
In a statement to the AFP news agency, Germany’s foreign ministry said it is “monitoring the situation in Venezuela very closely and following the latest reports with great concern.”
“The Foreign Ministry is in close contact with the embassy in Caracas,” Berlin said adding that the government’s crisis team was in session and is “coordinating closely with our partners.”
Italy
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said she was “closely monitoring the situation in Venezuela”, also with an aim of “gathering information about our fellow citizens” in the country. Meloni added she was in constant contact with Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani. About 160,000 Italians currently live in Venezuela, most of them with dual citizenship.
France
Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said the US operation in Venezuela undermined international law.
“The military operation that led to the capture of Nicolas Maduro violates the principle of not resorting to force, that underpins international law. France reiterates that no lasting political solution can be imposed from the outside and that only sovereign people themselves can decide their future,” he wrote on X.
Indonesia
Indonesia is monitoring developments in Venezuela to ensure the safety of its citizens, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Yvonne Mewengkang said.
“Indonesia also calls on all relevant parties to prioritize peaceful resolution through de-escalation and dialogue, while prioritizing the protection of civilians.
“Indonesia emphasizes the importance of respecting international law and the principles of the UN Charter.”
SOURCE: AGENCIES, Aljazeera, CBS NEWS
from The Times Of Earth https://ift.tt/w8eN3lt
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