Global outrage as US captures Venezuelan president, leaders call for UN Action

World leaders have expressed widespread condemnation following the United States’ military operation in Venezuela, which reportedly captured President Nicolás Maduro along with his wife and flew them out of the country.

The intervention has drawn international criticism for breaching sovereignty and undermining the principles of the United Nations Charter.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo strongly criticised the action.

“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 (UN),” Sheinbaum said.

She emphasised that Mexico’s foreign policy principles are rooted in pacifism, calling for restraint. “Based on its foreign policy principles and its pacifist vocation, Mexico makes an urgent call to respect international law, as well as the principles and purposes of the UN Charter, and to cease any act of aggression against the Venezuelan government and people.”

Sheinbaum also highlighted the regional implications of the strike.

“Latin America and the Caribbean is a zone of peace, built on the basis of mutual respect, the peaceful settlement of disputes and the prohibition of the use and threat of force, so that any military action puts regional stability at serious risk.”

She reiterated Mexico’s commitment to diplomacy and peaceful resolution, affirming readiness to support dialogue or mediation to preserve regional peace.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also weighed in. “Following very closely the situation in Venezuela. We stand by the people of Venezuela and support a peaceful and democratic transition. Any solution must respect international law and the UN Charter.”

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva strongly condemned the strikes. “The bombings on Venezuelan territory and the capture of its president cross an unacceptable line. These acts represent a most serious affront to Venezuela’s sovereignty and yet another extremely dangerous precedent for the entire international community.”

He added: “Attacking countries, in flagrant violation of international law, is the first step toward a world of violence, chaos, and instability, where the law of the strongest prevails over multilateralism.”

Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Keir Starmer, provided a measured response. “The situation in Venezuela is fast moving; we will establish all the facts and speak to allies. Our embassy in Caracas is working to ensure all British nationals in Venezuela are supported,” he said.

The strikes have provoked strong reactions from South Africa, Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco), and the International Human Rights Foundation (IHRF), all condemning the intervention as a violation of international law and a threat to civilian safety.

“South Africa views these actions as a manifest violation of the Charter of the United Nations, which mandates that all Member States refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state,” Dirco spokesperson Chrispin Phiri said.

The IHRF described the strike as “a catastrophic failure of diplomacy and a direct assault on the principles of global stability,” and warned that civilian lives are under extreme threat.

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