World leaders were deeply divided on Saturday after the United States launched a massive attack on Venezuela and President Donald Trump announced that the country’s leader, Nicolás Maduro, had been arrested and shipped out of the country.
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermudez condemned what he called a “criminal attack,” writing on the
Colombian President Gustavo Petro said his government was “deeply concerned” by reports coming out of Venezuela and warned against further escalation, claiming a U.S. attack could destabilize the region.
“The Colombian government rejects any unilateral military action that could aggravate the situation or put civilians at risk,” Petro wrote on X.
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World leaders have reacted with condemnation, concern and praise after Trump claimed Maduro was allegedly captured and launched a U.S. attack on Venezuela.
Petro said Colombia was taking precautions to “protect civilians” and “maintain stability on Colombia’s border with Venezuela,” but he did not provide specific details.
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Mexico also condemned the U.S. military intervention in Venezuela, calling it a “clear violation” of international law, and urged an end to “any acts of aggression” against Venezuela.
A statement from Mexico’s foreign ministry said “Latin America and the Caribbean is a zone of peace.” The announcement was shared on X by Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum.
It warned that any military action would put regional stability at “serious risk”.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva also condemned the military action, saying the bombings and reported arrest crossed an “unacceptable line.”
“These actions are the most serious violation of Venezuela’s sovereignty and set an extremely dangerous precedent for the entire international community,” Lula said. He warned that the attack had the potential to plunge the world into “violence, chaos and instability.”
Russia also criticized the attack, calling it an act of “armed aggression” against Venezuela. Moscow warned the move could lead to further escalation and urged dialogue.
“Latin America must remain a zone of peace, as it declared in 2014. Venezuela must be guaranteed the right to determine its own destiny without any destructive external interference, let alone military intervention,” the Russian government said in a statement.
Demonstrators hold posters of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro (right) and late former President Hugo Chavez during a rally in Caracas, Venezuela.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry also condemned the attack.
Meanwhile, the news was praised by Argentine President Javier Milley, a close Trump ally who shared a previous video denouncing Maduro’s “narco-terrorist” regime as a regional threat and urging Latin American leaders to support U.S. pressure to end the regime.
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“Long live freedom be damned!” Milley wrote, using his signature pro-freedom slogan.
In Europe, European Council President Antonio Costa said he was following developments in Venezuela with “great concern” and urged de-escalation and respect for international law.
“The EU calls for a de-escalation of the situation and a solution that fully respects international law and the principles of the United Nations Charter,” Costa said, adding that the EU would continue to support a “peaceful, democratic and inclusive solution” on Venezuela.
In Britain, reformist leader Nigel Farage, a staunch Trump ally, questioned the legality of the attack but said it could have a favorable outcome.
Argentine President Javier Milley praised the news, sharing a video of his previous condemnation of Maduro’s “narco-terrorist” regime as a regional threat.
“The actions taken by the United States overnight in Venezuela are unorthodox and in violation of international law, but if they make China and Russia think twice, that could be a good thing,” Farage wrote. “I hope the Venezuelan people can now turn the page without Maduro.
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Meanwhile, in Venezuela, the government called on citizens to mobilize against what it called an “imperialist attack,” urging “people to take to the streets!”
In the hours after the strike, reactions elsewhere in Latin America were muted, with some governments remaining silent as control of Caracas grew increasingly uncertain.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Original source of the article: U.S. backs Maduro’s capture after surgical attack on Venezuela but condemned on world stage