Global Leaders Condemn US Action as Maduro is Captured in Venezuela

Mon Jan 05 2026 06:06:34 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

World leaders express shock and condemnation following the US military operation that led to the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on drug charges.

In a stunning development, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was captured by US forces amidst a military operation on January 4, 2026. The global response has been sharply divided, with leaders like UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer showing support for the US action, while Latin American countries and allies such as Russia and China condemned the invasion as a violation of sovereignty and international law. As tensions rise, concerns over political instability in Venezuela continue to mount.

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.

Meanwhile UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer refused to be drawn into whether or not the military action may have broken international law. In an interview with the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme on Saturday morning, the prime minister did not condemn the US strikes. He said he was waiting to establish all the facts but would not shy away from this, adding he was a lifelong advocate of international law.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said he was deeply concerned that the rules of international law have not been respected. His spokesperson stated he was deeply alarmed by the strikes, which set a dangerous precedent.