LONDON/ MOSCOW: Global leaders on Saturday reacted sharply to the US strike on Venezuela and the capture of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, with some expressing concern and urging restraint, while others backed Washington’s move. The strikes and the capture prompted sharp criticism from key global players, including Russia and China. The Russian side said if the reports were true, it was an unacceptable violation of Venezuela’s sovereignty. The Russian Foreign Ministry “strongly” urged the US leadership to “reconsider their position and release the legitimately elected president of a sovereign country and his spouse.” “We highlight the need to create conditions for resolving any existing issues between the United States and Venezuela through dialogue,” it said in a Telegram post.
China condemned the US airstrikes, describing them as “hegemonic acts” that seriously violate international law. “China is deeply shocked by and strongly condemns the US’s blatant use of force against a sovereign state and action against its President,” the Chinese Foreign Ministry said. “We highlight the need to create conditions for resolving any existing issues between the United States and Venezuela through dialogue,” it said in a Telegram post. China condemned the US airstrikes, describing them as “hegemonic acts” that seriously violate international law. “China is deeply shocked by and strongly condemns the US’s blatant use of force against a sovereign state and action against its President,” the Chinese Foreign Ministry said, adding that China firmly opposes the move and called on the US to abide by international law, the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and stop violating other countries’ sovereignty and security. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva termed the strikes and Maduro’s capture an “unacceptable line”, calling them the most serious affront to Venezuela’s sovereignty and an “extremely dangerous precedent” for the international community. He said attacking countries in violation of international law leads to violence, chaos and instability, threatening Latin America and the Caribbean as a zone of peace.
Meanwhile, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the bloc was closely monitoring the situation and urged restraint, calling for respect of the UN Charter. In an X post, she said the EU has repeatedly stated that Maduro lacks legitimacy and has defended a peaceful transition, stressing that international law must be respected and that the safety of EU citizens is a top priority. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the UK was not involved in the US operation and that he would seek additional information, adding that international law should be upheld. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called for de-escalation and responsibility. In contrast, Argentinian President Javier Milei backed the developments, saying “Freedom moves forward,” while Ecuador President Daniel Noboa warned that “narco chavista criminals” would soon collapse across the continent. Following Maduro’s capture, Trump said the US would run Venezuela until a safe transition of power takes place and added that Washington would tap the country’s vast oil reserves and sell large amounts to other nations.