The United States launched a large-scale military operation against Venezuela early on Saturday, triggering global condemnation and renewed concerns over violations of international law after President Donald Trump announced that US forces had captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said US forces had carried out a “successful large-scale strike” against Venezuela, adding that Maduro and the first lady had been captured and flown out of the country. Venezuelan authorities have not officially confirmed the claim, though they have not denied it either.
Multiple explosions were reported across Caracas in the early hours of the morning, with residents describing low-flying aircraft and plumes of black smoke rising from several locations, including areas near major military installations. Venezuela’s government said strikes were also carried out in neighbouring states, while Colombia’s president listed multiple sites allegedly hit during the operation.
Venezuela’s Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino condemned the attack, vowing resistance against what he described as the presence of foreign troops on Venezuelan soil. The government declared a state of emergency shortly after the explosions.
Global condemnation mounts
The military action prompted swift and widespread international condemnation, with several countries warning that the US operation constituted a breach of international law and set a dangerous precedent.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said all countries must “uphold international law,” stressing that the UK was not involved in the strikes. He said London was seeking to establish facts through consultations with allies, including Washington.
China said it was “deeply shocked” by the use of force against a sovereign state. In a statement, Beijing strongly condemned what it called hegemonic behaviour by the US, urging respect for Venezuela’s sovereignty and adherence to the UN Charter.
Iran’s foreign ministry described the attack as a “flagrant violation of national sovereignty and territorial integrity,” while France’s foreign minister said the raid violated the principle of non-use of force that underpins international law.
Mexico warned that unilateral military action “seriously jeopardises regional stability,” rejecting the US strikes and calling for de-escalation. Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro echoed similar concerns, urging all parties to refrain from actions that could escalate tensions or endanger civilians, while announcing precautionary measures along the Colombian-Venezuelan border.
UN alarm and European concern
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed deep alarm over the US military action, warning that it set a “dangerous precedent.” His spokesperson said the secretary-general remained deeply concerned that the principles of international law and the UN Charter had not been respected.
The European Union called for restraint, with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stressing that international law must be respected under all circumstances. European Council President Antonio Costa said the bloc supported a peaceful, democratic, and inclusive solution for Venezuela, while European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU stood by the Venezuelan people and supported a peaceful transition.
Spain offered to help negotiate a peaceful resolution, while Germany, Italy, Belgium, and Indonesia said they were closely monitoring developments, particularly to ensure the safety of their citizens in Venezuela.
Russia condemned the US action as an “act of armed aggression,” calling it an unacceptable violation of sovereignty and urging immediate clarification and dialogue. Cuba denounced the strikes as a “criminal attack” and accused Washington of state terrorism, while Lebanese group Hezbollah expressed solidarity with the Venezuelan government.
Escalation after months of pressure
The strikes follow months of escalating US military and economic pressure on Venezuela. Washington has accused Maduro of involvement in narcotics trafficking and links to the Tren de Aragua gang — allegations that US intelligence agencies have previously said lack evidence.
In recent months, the US military has carried out repeated strikes on vessels in the Caribbean it claimed were linked to drug trafficking, actions that have reportedly resulted in over 100 deaths. The Trump administration has also intensified sanctions on Venezuela’s oil sector and seized oil tankers accused of evading restrictions.
The US has deployed its largest naval presence in the Caribbean in decades, led by the USS Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group. Last week, Trump announced strikes on what he described as drug-loading facilities in Venezuela, further escalating tensions.
Oil and sovereignty concerns
While Trump has framed the operation as part of efforts to curb drug trafficking, his remarks following the attack suggested broader objectives. Speaking at a press conference later on Saturday, Trump said the US would oversee Venezuela until a transition could be arranged and indicated that American oil companies would play a central role in rebuilding the country’s energy infrastructure.
Venezuela holds the world’s largest proven oil reserves, estimated at over 300 billion barrels. International law, under the principle of Permanent Sovereignty over Natural Resources, affirms that such resources belong to the state.
Venezuela nationalised its oil industry in 1976, a move later reinforced under former president Hugo Chavez. Analysts warn that the latest US action risks further destabilising Latin America and undermining established international norms governing the use of force.
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‘Flagrant violation of sovereignty’: World condemns US military action in Venezuela
The United States launched a large-scale military operation against Venezuela early on Saturday, triggering global condemnation and renewed concerns over violations of international law after President Donald Trump announced that US forces had captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said US forces had carried out a “successful large-scale strike” against Venezuela, adding that Maduro and the first lady had been captured and flown out of the country. Venezuelan authorities have not officially confirmed the claim, though they have not denied it either.
Multiple explosions were reported across Caracas in the early hours of the morning, with residents describing low-flying aircraft and plumes of black smoke rising from several locations, including areas near major military installations. Venezuela’s government said strikes were also carried out in neighbouring states, while Colombia’s president listed multiple sites allegedly hit during the operation.
Venezuela’s Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino condemned the attack, vowing resistance against what he described as the presence of foreign troops on Venezuelan soil. The government declared a state of emergency shortly after the explosions.
Global condemnation mounts
The military action prompted swift and widespread international condemnation, with several countries warning that the US operation constituted a breach of international law and set a dangerous precedent.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said all countries must “uphold international law,” stressing that the UK was not involved in the strikes. He said London was seeking to establish facts through consultations with allies, including Washington.
China said it was “deeply shocked” by the use of force against a sovereign state. In a statement, Beijing strongly condemned what it called hegemonic behaviour by the US, urging respect for Venezuela’s sovereignty and adherence to the UN Charter.
Iran’s foreign ministry described the attack as a “flagrant violation of national sovereignty and territorial integrity,” while France’s foreign minister said the raid violated the principle of non-use of force that underpins international law.
Mexico warned that unilateral military action “seriously jeopardises regional stability,” rejecting the US strikes and calling for de-escalation. Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro echoed similar concerns, urging all parties to refrain from actions that could escalate tensions or endanger civilians, while announcing precautionary measures along the Colombian-Venezuelan border.
UN alarm and European concern
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed deep alarm over the US military action, warning that it set a “dangerous precedent.” His spokesperson said the secretary-general remained deeply concerned that the principles of international law and the UN Charter had not been respected.
The European Union called for restraint, with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stressing that international law must be respected under all circumstances. European Council President Antonio Costa said the bloc supported a peaceful, democratic, and inclusive solution for Venezuela, while European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU stood by the Venezuelan people and supported a peaceful transition.
Spain offered to help negotiate a peaceful resolution, while Germany, Italy, Belgium, and Indonesia said they were closely monitoring developments, particularly to ensure the safety of their citizens in Venezuela.
Russia condemned the US action as an “act of armed aggression,” calling it an unacceptable violation of sovereignty and urging immediate clarification and dialogue. Cuba denounced the strikes as a “criminal attack” and accused Washington of state terrorism, while Lebanese group Hezbollah expressed solidarity with the Venezuelan government.
Escalation after months of pressure
The strikes follow months of escalating US military and economic pressure on Venezuela. Washington has accused Maduro of involvement in narcotics trafficking and links to the Tren de Aragua gang — allegations that US intelligence agencies have previously said lack evidence.
In recent months, the US military has carried out repeated strikes on vessels in the Caribbean it claimed were linked to drug trafficking, actions that have reportedly resulted in over 100 deaths. The Trump administration has also intensified sanctions on Venezuela’s oil sector and seized oil tankers accused of evading restrictions.
The US has deployed its largest naval presence in the Caribbean in decades, led by the USS Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group. Last week, Trump announced strikes on what he described as drug-loading facilities in Venezuela, further escalating tensions.
Oil and sovereignty concerns
While Trump has framed the operation as part of efforts to curb drug trafficking, his remarks following the attack suggested broader objectives. Speaking at a press conference later on Saturday, Trump said the US would oversee Venezuela until a transition could be arranged and indicated that American oil companies would play a central role in rebuilding the country’s energy infrastructure.
Venezuela holds the world’s largest proven oil reserves, estimated at over 300 billion barrels. International law, under the principle of Permanent Sovereignty over Natural Resources, affirms that such resources belong to the state.
Venezuela nationalised its oil industry in 1976, a move later reinforced under former president Hugo Chavez. Analysts warn that the latest US action risks further destabilising Latin America and undermining established international norms governing the use of force.
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