Global Leaders React to the US Attack on Venezuela’s President Maduro

Mon Jan 05 2026 04:15:58 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The US military executed a strike on Venezuela, resulting in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and attracting fierce international responses, comprising support and condemnation from various world leaders.

In an unprecedented move, US forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro during a large-scale strike on January 3, 2026. International reactions range from support in the US to widespread condemnation from allies of Venezuela and neighboring countries. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer publicly endorsed the US actions, while leaders in Latin America and beyond expressed deep concerns over sovereignty and international law breaches.

Leaders around the world have responded with a mix of condemnation and support to the US capture of Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro.

Following a large-scale strike on Venezuela on Saturday, Maduro and his wife were captured by US forces and removed from the country. The pair have been indicted on drug charges in New York.

In an initial response, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said his government would shed no tears for the end of Maduro's regime.

Neighbouring Latin American countries condemned the actions, as did Venezuela's long-term allies, Russia and China. China said it was deeply shocked and strongly condemns the use of force against a sovereign country and its president.

Russia accused the US of committing an act of armed aggression.

Iran, which is locked in its own dispute with Trump over his promise of intervention in its country, called the strikes a flagrant violation of the country's national sovereignty.

Trump said the US will run Venezuela until we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition.

Many Latin American leaders condemned the US actions. President Luiz Inacio Lula Da Silva in Brazil wrote on X that the actions cross an unacceptable line, adding attacking countries in flagrant violation of international law is the first step toward a world of violence, chaos, and instability.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro called the strikes an assault on the sovereignty of Latin America, while Cuba's President Miguel Diaz-Canel described it as a criminal attack.

Chile's President Gabriel Boric expressed concern and condemnation on X and called for a peaceful solution to the serious crisis affecting the country.

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Cane accused the US of a criminal attack, while Uruguay said in an official statement it was monitoring developments with attention and serious concern and rejects, as it always has, military intervention.

The Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello urged citizens to remain calm and to trust the country's leadership and military, saying, The world needs to speak out about this attack, according to the Reuters news agency.

But Argentinian President Javier Milei – who Trump has described as his favourite president – wrote Freedom moves forward and Long live freedom on social media.

In the US, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat, said, Let me be clear, Maduro is an illegitimate dictator, but launching military action without congressional authorization, without a federal plan for what comes next, is reckless.

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer refused to be drawn into whether or not the military action may have broken international law, stating that he was waiting to establish all the facts. However, he acknowledged that the UK regarded Maduro as an illegitimate president, and expressed the need for a safe and peaceful transition to a legitimate government that reflects the will of the Venezuelan people.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said he was deeply concerned that the rules of international law have not been respected and called for inclusive dialogue among all actors in Venezuela.