Global Leaders React to U.S. Operation in Venezuela

U.S. President Donald Trump announced early Saturday morning that the United States had launched airstrikes in Venezuela and captured the country’s president, Nicolás Maduro. The operation culminates a monthslong U.S. military campaign aimed at regime change in Caracas.

In a news conference on Saturday, Trump refused to rule out the deployment of U.S. troops to Venezuela, claimed effective control over the country’s government and oil deposits, and issued similar warnings against Colombia, Cuba, and Mexico.

Foreign leaders struck a mixed tone in the aftermath, with some praising the U.S. operation and expressing support for democracy in Venezuela and others calling the attack a violation of international law and Venezuelan sovereignty.

In Venezuela, Maduro’s second-in-command demanded the president’s immediate release, while opposition leaders heralded U.S. involvement. Latin American leaders were similarly split: Trump allies commended the swift U.S. action, and those already opposed to the U.S. pressure campaign in the region reiterated their condemnation.

Leaders elsewhere have begun to weigh in on Venezuela’s future. Some powers have called for an emergency session of the United Nations Security Council as well as the installment of Edmundo González, who independent vote monitors say rightfully won Venezuela’s disputed 2024 presidential election, to lead a transitional government instead of U.S. forces.

Below, we’ve tracked how the world is responding to the U.S. operation—within Venezuela, in Latin America, and beyond.

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Venezuela

Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, next in the line of succession, called on the White House to provide proof of life of Maduro and urged Venezuelans to take to the streets in protest. “We demand the immediate release of Nicolás Maduro,” Rodríguez said on a state broadcast.

This contrasted with Trump’s characterization of Rodríguez; he said on Saturday that Rodríguez was “willing to do what we think is necessary to make Venezuela great again.”

Meanwhile, Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado struck a triumphant tone, writing in a letter posted on X that “the time for freedom has come!” Going forward, Maduro will face “international justice” for his “atrocious crimes,” she wrote.

“Given [Maduro’s] refusal to accept a negotiated solution, the U.S. government has fulfilled its promise to enforce the law,” Machado added. “We have fought for years, we have given it our all, and it has been worth it. What was meant to happen is happening.”

In her letter, Machado urged Venezuelans to “remain vigilant, active, and organized until the democratic transition is complete.” During his Saturday news conference, however, Trump stopped short of backing Machado.

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Latin America

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on X: “The bombings on Venezuelan territory and the capture of its president cross an unacceptable line. … The action recalls the worst moments of interference in the politics of Latin America and the Caribbean and threatens the preservation of the region as a zone of peace.”

Colombian President Gustavo Petro on X: “The National Government has arranged measures to protect the civilian population, preserve stability on the Colombian-Venezuelan border, and promptly address any eventual humanitarian or migratory needs, in coordination with local authorities and competent organizations.”

Mexico’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement: “The Government of Mexico strongly condemns and rejects the military actions carried out unilaterally in recent hours by armed forces of the United States of America against targets in the territory of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, in clear violation of Article 2 of the Charter of the United Nations.”

Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino on X: “My government reiterates our position in favor of democratic trials and in favor of accepting the legitimate wishes of the Venezuelan people, as expressed emphatically at the polls, where Edmundo González was elected.”

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel on X: “#Cuba denounces and urgently demands the reaction of the international community against the criminal attack by the U.S. on #Venezuela. … Our #ZonaDePaz [Zone of Peace] is being brutally assaulted.”

Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa on X: “To all the narco chavista criminals, your time is coming. … Your structure will completely collapse across the entire continent.”

Argentine President Javier Milei to local media: “What we have to understand is that it’s the collapse of the regime of a dictator that was rigging elections, that in the last election was badly defeated and, despite that, he clung on to power. … Today’s news is excellent news for the free world.”

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Other Leaders

U.N. spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said in a statement that U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres is “deeply alarmed by the recent escalation in Venezuela. … The Secretary-General continues to emphasize the importance of full respect—by all—of international law, including the UN Charter.”

A spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on X: “China is deeply shocked by and strongly condemns the U.S.’s blatant use of force against a sovereign state and action against its president. Such hegemonic acts of the U.S. seriously violate international law and Venezuela’s sovereignty, and threaten peace and security in Latin America and the Caribbean region.”

Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement: The United States “committed an act of armed aggression against Venezuela. This development gives rise to deep concern and warrants condemnation. The pretexts used to justify these actions are untenable.”

EU foreign-policy chief Kaja Kallas on X: “The EU has repeatedly stated that Mr Maduro lacks legitimacy and has defended a peaceful transition. Under all circumstances, the principles of international law and the UN Charter must be respected. We call for restraint.”

French President Emmanuel Macron on X: “The upcoming transition must be peaceful, democratic, and respectful of the will of the Venezuelan people. We wish that President Edmundo González Urrutia, elected in 2024, can swiftly ensure this transition.”

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez on X: “Spain did not recognize the Maduro regime. But neither will it recognize an intervention that violates international law and pushes the region toward a horizon of uncertainty and belligerence.”

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on X: “The legal classification of the U.S. deployment is complex. We will take our time with that. The benchmark remains international law.”

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to British broadcasters: “The U.K. was not involved in any way in this operation, and as you would expect, we are focusing on British nationals in Venezuela. … I will want to talk to allies, but at the moment, we need to establish the facts.”

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha on X: “Ukraine has consistently defended the right of nations to live freely, free of dictatorship, oppression, and human rights violations. The Maduro regime has violated all such principles in every respect. … The people of Venezuela must have a chance for a normal life, security, prosperity, and human dignity.”

Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand in a statement: “Canada calls on all parties to respect international law and we stand by the people of Venezuela and their desire to live in a peaceful and democratic society.”

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar on X: “Israel welcomes the removal of the dictator who led a network of drugs and terror and hopes for the return of democracy to the country and for friendly relations between the states.”

Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement: “The U.S. military attack on Venezuela constitutes a clear violation of the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter and the basic rules of international law.”

A spokesperson for South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation in a statement: “South Africa calls on [the U.N. Security Council], the body mandated to maintain international peace and security, to urgently convene to address this situation.”