Global reactions split over US strikes, Maduro’s capture in Venezuela
Türkiye said on Saturday that it places priority on stability in Venezuela, as well as the peace and welfare of the Venezuelan population. In a statement, the country’s foreign ministry urged restraint, saying, "In order to prevent the current situation from leading to adverse consequences for regional and international security, we call on all parties to act with restraint."
The statement added that Ankara is closely monitoring developments and stands ready to contribute to resolving the crisis through international law. It also noted that diplomatic staff in Caracas remain in constant contact with Turkish citizens and are coordinating necessary support efforts.
Earlier, Venezuela’s authorities accused the United States of striking both civilian and military facilities across several regions and declared a nationwide state of emergency.
US President Donald Trump confirmed on his social media platform that Washington had carried out a "large scale" strike, adding that Maduro and his wife had been captured and removed from the country.
The escalation followed months of strained relations, during which the US accused Maduro of involvement in drug trafficking. Maduro rejected the allegations and had previously indicated openness to dialogue.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said on Saturday that he contacted President Trump “directly” to oppose what he described as a “pursuit of regime change” following the overnight operation that resulted in Maduro’s detention.
“I called the president and spoke with him directly to register my opposition to this act,” Mamdani told reporters at a press briefing.
He said his stance was based on opposition to a “pursuit of regime change” and to actions he believes violate both domestic and international law.
Earlier, Mamdani posted on social media, calling the US action “an act of war” and a “blatant pursuit of regime change.”
“I was briefed this morning on the U.S. military capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, as well as their planned imprisonment in federal custody here in New York City,” he wrote.
“Unilaterally attacking a sovereign nation is an act of war and a violation of federal and international law,” he added.
The mayor warned that such a “blatant pursuit of regime change” could have consequences beyond Venezuela, including for tens of thousands of Venezuelans living in New York.
“My focus is their safety and the safety of every New Yorker, and my administration will continue to monitor the situation and issue relevant guidance,” he said.
China strongly criticized the United States on Saturday, accusing it of engaging in “hegemonic acts” against Venezuela and its president, and urged Washington to comply with the UN Charter.
“China is deeply shocked by and strongly condemns the US’s blatant use of force against a sovereign state and action against its president,” a foreign ministry spokesperson said.
The statement followed Trump’s confirmation that a "large scale strike" had been carried out and that Maduro and his wife were captured and flown out of Venezuela.
“Such hegemonic acts of the US seriously violate international law and Venezuela’s sovereignty, and threaten peace and security in Latin America and the Caribbean region. China firmly opposes it,” the spokesperson said.
“We call on the US to abide by international law and the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and stop violating other countries’ sovereignty and security,” the spokesperson added.
Chinese authorities also advised citizens to temporarily avoid travel to Venezuela and urged those already there to heighten security awareness, strengthen emergency preparedness, and limit unnecessary movement.
Russia reiterated its backing of Venezuela’s government and dismissed reports suggesting Vice President Delcy Rodriguez was in Russia as false.
After a phone conversation with Rodriguez, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov expressed Russia’s “firm solidarity with the people of Venezuela in the face of armed aggression,” according to a foreign ministry statement.
Officials also rejected claims circulated elsewhere that Rodriguez was physically present in Russia, describing them as untrue.
Iran sharply criticized the US military action, calling it a serious breach of Venezuela’s sovereignty.
“The US military attack on Venezuela constitutes a clear violation of the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter and the basic rules of international law, particularly Article 2, Paragraph 4 of the Charter, which prohibits the use of force,” the Iranian foreign ministry said.
It further “condemned the United States’ military aggression against Venezuela and the blatant violation of the country’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
The statement described the operation as “a textbook example of an act of aggression that must be explicitly condemned immediately by the United Nations and by all states concerned with upholding the rule of law, peace, and international security.”
Iran also reaffirmed Venezuela’s “inherent right to defend its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and right to self-determination.”
Meanwhile, the US Embassy in Bogota warned American citizens against traveling to Venezuela and advised those already there to remain sheltered.
The warning came after Trump said Washington had “successfully” conducted a "large scale strike" and claimed Maduro and his wife had been detained and removed from the country.
The embassy said Venezuela remains under the highest travel advisory level, citing serious risks to Americans, including detention, violence, kidnapping, unrest, and weak health infrastructure.
US citizens were strongly urged to leave the country immediately, with officials noting that diplomatic operations in Caracas have been suspended and that emergency assistance is unavailable.
Legal Disclaimer:
EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
