The US early on Saturday launched a “large-scale strike” on Venezuela, with President Donald Trump asserting that US forces had captured the South American nation’s chief, Nicolas Maduro and his spouse.
“The US of America has efficiently carried out a large-scale strike towards Venezuela and its chief, President Nicolas Maduro, who has been, alongside together with his spouse, captured and flown in another country,” Trump mentioned in a Truth Social post.
A number of explosions rocked Venezuela’s capital, Caracas, earlier within the day, and columns of black smoke and plane could possibly be seen.
Responding to the event in a video assertion, Venezuela’s Protection Minister Vladimir Padrino mentioned the nation would resist the presence of overseas troops.
The strikes come after months of steadily mounting US navy and financial stress on Maduro and his nation’s oil-export-dependent economic system. Right here is how the world is reacting to the event.
All international locations ought to uphold worldwide legislation: UK
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer mentioned on Saturday that each one international locations ought to “uphold worldwide legislation” after Trump’s announcement that he captured Maduro in a large-scale assault.
Starmer additionally mentioned that the UK was not concerned in Saturday morning’s strikes.
“I need to set up the details first, I need to converse to President Trump, I need to converse to allies,” the UK chief mentioned in short feedback aired on British tv hours after the US assault.
“I may be completely clear that we weren’t concerned in that. And as you realize, I all the time say and imagine we should always all uphold worldwide legislation,” he added.
China ‘deeply shocked’
An announcement from the Chinese language overseas ministry mentioned that Beijing was “deeply shocked and strongly condemns using pressure by the US towards a sovereign nation and using pressure towards the president of a rustic”.
“China firmly opposes such hegemonic habits by the US, which significantly violates worldwide legislation, violates Venezuela’s sovereignty, and threatens peace and safety in Latin America and the Caribbean,” the Chinese language overseas ministry added.
“We urge the US to abide by worldwide legislation and the needs and ideas of the UN Constitution and cease violating the sovereignty and safety of different international locations.”
‘Violation of territorial integrity’: Iran
In an announcement, the Iranian overseas ministry condemned the assault on Venezuela.
It strongly condemned the “American navy assault on Venezuela”, declaring it a “flagrant violation of the nationwide sovereignty and territorial integrity of the nation”.
Raid ‘violates ideas of not resorting to pressure’: France
French International Minister Jean-Noel Barrot criticized the raid, stating it violates the precept of not resorting to pressure, which underpins worldwide legislation.
“France reiterates that no lasting political answer may be imposed from the surface and that solely sovereign folks themselves can determine their future,” the minister wrote on X.
Mexico warns that navy motion ‘jeopardises regional stability’
Mexico’s authorities condemned the US strikes, saying that any type of navy motion “significantly jeopardizes regional stability.”
Mexico “strongly condemns and rejects the navy actions carried out unilaterally in latest hours by the armed forces of the USA of America towards targets on the territory of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela,” the overseas ministry mentioned in an announcement.
UN chief warns that raid units ‘harmful precedent’
United Nations Secretary-Normal Antonio Guterres is deeply alarmed by US navy motion in Venezuela that units “a harmful precedent,” his spokesperson mentioned forward of a possible assembly of the UN Safety Council.
“These developments represent a harmful precedent,” Guterres’ spokesperson Stephane Dujarric mentioned in an announcement statement. “The Secretary-Normal continues to emphasise the significance of full respect — by all — of worldwide legislation, together with the UN Constitution. He’s deeply involved that the principles of worldwide legislation haven’t been revered.”
Colombia requires de-escalation
In a put up on X, Colombian President Gustavo Petro reaffirmed his nation’s “unrestricted dedication to the ideas enshrined within the constitution of the United Nations, specifically the respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states, the prohibition of the use or risk of use of pressure, and the peaceable settlement of worldwide disputes”.
“On this regard, the Colombian authorities rejects any unilateral navy motion that might irritate the scenario or put the civilian inhabitants in danger,” he wrote on the social media platform.
Petro mentioned that Colombia had adopted a place “oriented in the direction of the preservation of regional peace” and known as for de-escalation. He additional known as on all events to chorus from actions that deepen the confrontation and to prioritize dialogue and diplomatic channels.
“As a safety measure, the nationwide authorities has organized measures to guard the civilian inhabitants, protect stability on the Colombian-Venezuelan border, and promptly deal with any eventual humanitarian or migratory wants, in coordination with native authorities and competent organizations,” he added.
‘Legal assault’: Cuba
In a pointy condemnation, Cuba’s President Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez denounced the “legal assault by the US on Venezuela”.
In a put up on X, he known as on the worldwide group to react towards the US strikes.
“Our Zone De Paz (Zone of Peace) is being brutally assaulted,” he wrote, describing the US motion as “state terrorism” towards not solely the Venezuelan folks but additionally “our America”.
Qatar requires restraint and dialogue
Qatar’s overseas ministry known as for “restraint, de-escalation, and the adoption of dialogue” in an announcement.
“The Ministry of International Affairs reaffirms the State of Qatar’s place advocating adherence to the Constitution of the United Nations and the established ideas of worldwide legislation, together with obligations underneath the Constitution to resolve worldwide disputes by means of peaceable means,” the assertion learn.
The ministry additional reaffirmed Qatar’s full readiness to contribute to any worldwide efforts for a direct peaceable answer and its dedication to maintaining channels of communication open with all involved events.
EU requires restraint
The European Union known as for “restraint” and respect for worldwide legislation after the strikes.
“The EU has repeatedly acknowledged that Mr. Maduro lacks legitimacy and has defended a peaceable transition,” the bloc’s prime diplomat Kaja Kallas wrote on X after talking along with her US counterpart, Marco Rubio.
“Beneath all circumstances, the ideas of worldwide legislation and the UN Constitution should be revered. We name for restraint,” she wrote.
European Council seeks ‘peaceable, democratic and inclusive answer’ in Venezuela
European Council President Antonio Costa acknowledged that the EU has known as for de-escalation in Venezuela and helps a peaceable, democratic answer to the problem.
“I’m following the scenario in Venezuela with nice concern. The European Union requires de-escalation and a decision in full respect of worldwide legislation and the ideas enshrined within the Constitution of the United Nations,” Costa wrote on X.
“The European Union will proceed to help a peaceable, democratic, and inclusive answer in Venezuela,” he added.
EU’s Von der Leyen helps ‘peaceable, democratic’ transition
“We stand by the folks of Venezuela and help a peaceable and democratic transition. Any answer should respect worldwide legislation and the UN Constitution,” European Fee President Ursula von der Leyen mentioned in a put up on X, including that she was “following very carefully [sic] the scenario in Venezuela”.
“With HR/VP (Excessive Consultant/Vice President) [Kaja Kallas] and in coordination with EU Member States, we’re ensuring that EU residents within the nation can depend on our full help.”
Spain presents to barter
The Spanish overseas ministry supplied in an announcement to barter and assist discover a peaceable answer in Venezuela.
It additional known as for de-escalation, moderation and respect for worldwide legislation within the South American nation.
‘Act of armed aggression’: Russia
Russia expressed deep concern over the event and condemned what it described as an “act of armed aggression” towards Venezuela dedicated by the USA, the Russian International Ministry mentioned in an announcement.
“Within the present scenario, it’s important … to stop additional escalation and to give attention to discovering a manner out of the scenario by means of dialogue,” it mentioned.
“We name for rapid clarification of this case. Such actions, in the event that they did certainly happen, represent an unacceptable violation of the sovereignty of an unbiased state, respect for which is a key precept of worldwide legislation,” the ministry mentioned in an announcement.
‘Nice concern’: Germany
Germany’s overseas ministry mentioned it was watching the scenario in Venezuela with nice concern.
A written communication obtained by Reuters mentioned the ministry was in shut contact with the embassy in Caracas, and a disaster group would meet later within the day.
Italy monitoring scenario in Venezuela
Italy’s International Minister Antonio Tajani mentioned Rome and its diplomatic illustration in Caracas have been monitoring any developments of the scenario in Venezuela with specific consideration to the Italian group within the nation.
Tajani mentioned in a put up on X that Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was being stored continuously knowledgeable and that the overseas ministry’s disaster unit was operational.
Earlier, Italy’s Ambassador in Venezuela mentioned that round 160,000 Italians presently stay within the nation, most of them with twin passports, in addition to some who’re there for causes of labor and tourism.
‘Companies totally mobilised’: Belgium
Belgium mentioned it was coordinating with European companions so as to carefully monitor the scenario in Venezuela.
“Our embassy in Bogot, which is liable for Venezuela, and our companies in Brussels are totally mobilized. The scenario is being carefully monitored, in coordination with our European companions,” Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and International Affairs Minister Maxime Prevot mentioned in a put up on X.
Indonesia emphasizes significance of UN Constitution
Indonesia can be monitoring developments in Venezuela to make sure the protection of its residents.
“Indonesia additionally calls on all related events to prioritize peaceable decision by means of de-escalation and dialogue, whereas prioritizing the safety of civilians,” International Ministry Spokesperson Yvonne Mewengkang mentioned.
“Indonesia emphasizes the significance of respecting worldwide legislation and the ideas of the UN Constitution.”
Hezbollah expresses solidarity with Caracas
Lebanese armed faction Hezbollah issued an announcement condemning the strikes and expressing solidarity with the Venezuelan presidency and authorities.
“Hezbollah condemns the terrorist aggression and American thuggery towards the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela,” the assertion learn.
“Hezbollah additional affirms its full solidarity with Venezuela — its folks, presidency, and authorities — in confronting this American aggression and conceitedness.”
Header picture: Hearth at Fuerte Tiuna, Venezuela’s largest navy advanced, is seen from a distance after a collection of explosions in Caracas on January 3, 2026. — AFP
