Global outrage erupted Saturday after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that American forces had captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro during a “large-scale strike” on the South American nation. The major military action has sparked swift condemnation across Latin America, Europe, and beyond, with key allies of Caracas denouncing the operation as an illegal act of aggression and warning of a potential regional crisis.
The Venezuelan government described the attack as “an extremely serious military aggression” and declared a state of emergency, vowing to defend the country’s sovereignty. Explosions rocked Caracas overnight, and speculation continues over Maduro’s exact whereabouts following reports that he and his wife were flown out of the country by U.S. forces.
Across Latin America and Europe, world leaders condemned the strike as a violation of international law. Nations traditionally friendly with or aligned to President Maduro’s socialist government have called for restraint and diplomacy.
In Tehran, the Iranian government “strongly condemned” what it called a flagrant violation of Venezuela’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity, accusing Washington of imperial aggression. Iran and Venezuela have long maintained close economic and energy ties, including oil cooperation deals.
In Colombia, President Gustavo Petro described the U.S. operation as “an assault on Latin America’s sovereignty” that could trigger a humanitarian disaster. Petro, whose country currently holds a seat on the United Nations Security Council, called for an immediate emergency session to discuss the crisis.
Meanwhile, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel labelled the assault “state terrorism against the brave Venezuelan people”, urging the international community to respond to what he called a criminal attack on Caracas. Havana has been a staunch supporter of Maduro and a longtime ally in the region’s leftist bloc.
Russia, Spain, and Germany React to the Crisis
Russia also entered the fray, issuing one of the strongest rebukes yet. The Russian Foreign Ministry condemned the U.S. action as “an act of armed aggression against Venezuela”, warning that “ideological hostility has triumphed over pragmatism.” Moscow, a key arms supplier and economic partner of Caracas, called for a full UN investigation into what it described as a “destabilising international provocation.”
In Europe, Spain signalled readiness to play a mediator role, calling for de-escalation and restraint. Madrid said it was “ready to help broker a democratic and peaceful solution for Venezuela,” positioning itself as a potential diplomatic bridge between Washington and Caracas.
The German Foreign Ministry told AFP it was monitoring the situation “with great concern” and was in close contact with both its embassy in Caracas and European partners. “The government’s crisis team is in session, and coordination is ongoing,” a spokesperson said.
Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also said she was “closely monitoring developments,” emphasising her administration’s focus on ensuring the safety of Italians living in Venezuela.
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Even within the United States, the strike has sparked controversy. Democratic Senator Brian Schatz warned on X (formerly Twitter) that the U.S. has “no vital national interests in Venezuela to justify war,” urging Washington not to “stumble into another costly foreign adventure.” Fellow Democrat Ruben Gallego denounced the operation as “illegal and embarrassing,” saying the U.S. had gone “from world cop to world bully in less than a year.”
Former Bolivian president Evo Morales, a close ally of Maduro, posted: “We forcefully reject the U.S. bombardment of Venezuela. This is an attack on democracy, peace, and self-determination in our region.”
Diplomatic observers warn that the situation could spiral into a regional conflict if U.S. forces remain in Venezuela. Calls for United Nations intervention are mounting, and Spain’s offer to mediate has opened a narrow window for negotiation.
As the world waits for official confirmation of Maduro’s status, the crisis has already transformed Venezuela into the epicenter of a global political showdown, pitting Washington against a coalition of nations demanding respect for sovereignty and international law.
