World leaders reacted sharply and divergently after the United States confirmed it had captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and removed him from the country following a major military operation.
The US action, carried out after large-scale strikes on Saturday, resulted in the detention of Maduro and his wife. Both face drug-related indictments in New York. Washington said the operation was aimed at forcing a political transition in Venezuela.
Reactions ranged from open approval to strong condemnation.
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said Britain would not mourn the collapse of Maduro’s rule. In a post later on Saturday, he wrote that the UK “regarded Maduro as an illegitimate president and we shed no tears about the end of his regime,” while stressing the need for a “safe and peaceful transition” reflecting the will of Venezuelans.
By contrast, several Latin American governments denounced the US intervention. Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said the strikes “cross an unacceptable line,” warning that “attacking countries in flagrant violation of international law is the first step toward a world of violence, chaos, and instability.”
Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro described the operation as an “assault on the sovereignty” of the region, while Chile’s President Gabriel Boric expressed “concern and condemnation” and urged a peaceful resolution to Venezuela’s crisis.
Longtime allies of Caracas also reacted forcefully. China said it was “deeply shocked and strongly condemns” the use of force against a sovereign nation and its leader. Russia accused Washington of committing “an act of armed aggression,” while Iran labeled the strikes a “flagrant violation of national sovereignty.”
Cuba’s President Miguel Díaz-Canel called the action a “criminal attack,” and Uruguay said it was following events “with attention and serious concern,” reiterating its rejection of military intervention.
Not all responses were critical. Argentine President Javier Milei, a close ally of former US President Donald Trump, posted celebratory messages online, writing “freedom moves forward” and “long live freedom.” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated Trump for what he called “bold and historic leadership on behalf of freedom and justice.”
Trump said the US would “run” Venezuela temporarily “until we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition.” His administration has also warned Cuba that it could face increased pressure for backing Maduro.
European leaders struck a cautious tone. French President Emmanuel Macron said any transfer of power “must be peaceful, democratic, and respectful of the will of the Venezuelan people,” while German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called the legality of the operation “complex” and warned against further instability.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas reiterated that the bloc views Maduro as lacking legitimacy but emphasized that international law must be upheld. UN Secretary General António Guterres said he was “deeply alarmed” and warned that the strikes could set a “dangerous precedent.”
In Washington, Democratic Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer criticized the lack of congressional authorization, saying, “Maduro is an illegitimate dictator, but launching military action without congressional authorisation and without a clear plan for what comes next is reckless.”
Canada’s foreign minister urged all sides to respect international law, while Norway’s foreign minister said plainly that “the American intervention in Venezuela is not in accordance with international law.”
As diplomatic fallout continues, governments worldwide remain divided over whether the operation marks the end of a dictatorship or a destabilizing breach of international norms.
