World leaders across Latin America and beyond have reacted sharply to the United States attack on Venezuela and the capture of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, with responses ranging from outright condemnation and calls for restraint to open celebration.
Cuba
Cuban President Miguel Diaz Canel condemned what he called a “criminal” US attack in a post on X, urging an international response. “Cuba denounces and urgently demands the reaction of the international community against the criminal attack by the US on Venezuela. Our zone of peace is being brutally assaulted,” he wrote.
Mexico
Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum also turned to X, citing the United Nations Charter provision that bars the use of force against another state’s territorial integrity. She said Mexico “strongly condemns and rejects” the attack.
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Columbia
In neighbouring Colombia, President Gustavo Petro said his government was watching developments with deep concern. “The Colombian Government rejects any unilateral military action that could aggravate the situation or put the civilian population at risk,” he wrote on X.
Chile
Chile’s outgoing president, Gabriel Boric said his government expressed “concern and condemnation” over the US action. “The Venezuelan crisis must be resolved through dialogue and the support of multilateralism, and not through violence or foreign interference,” he said on X.
Argentina
Argentina’s President Javier Milei, a close ally of US President Donald Trump, struck a very different tone. In a brief post on X, he appeared to welcome the reported capture of Maduro, writing: “Freedom advances. Long live freedom, damn it.”
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Brazil
Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said the US bombings and capture of Venezuela’s leader crossed “an unacceptable line”. Writing on X, he warned that attacking countries in violation of international law risked pushing the world toward “violence, chaos and instability”. He urged the United Nations to respond “vigorously” to what he described as a reminder of the “worst moments of interference” in Latin America.
Trinidad and Tobago
In the Caribbean, Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar said her country was not involved in the US operation. “Trinidad and Tobago is not a participant in any of these ongoing military operations and continues to maintain peaceful relations with the people of Venezuela,” she said in a statement.
Iran
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei posted on X that nations must stand firm against enemies seeking to impose their will. Iran’s foreign ministry separately said it “strongly condemns the American military attack on Venezuela and the flagrant violation” of its sovereignty.
Russia
Russia’s foreign ministry said it was “deeply concerned” by what it called an act of armed aggression by the United States. In a statement, Moscow urged dialogue to prevent further escalation and said it was “extremely concerned” about the capture of Maduro and his wife, calling such actions an unacceptable violation of sovereignty.
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Britain
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the United Kingdom was not involved in the strikes and stressed the need to establish the facts. “I want to speak to President Trump. I want to speak to allies. We should all uphold international law,” he told British broadcasters.
European Union
European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the bloc was closely monitoring the situation and had been in contact with Washington and its ambassador in Caracas. “Under all circumstances, the principles of international law and the UN Charter must be respected,” she said in a statement on X, adding that the safety of EU citizens was a priority.
Spain
Spain called for de escalation and respect for international law, offering to help mediate a peaceful solution, while Germany said it was following developments “with great concern”, according to a statement to AFP.
Italy
Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said her government was closely monitoring events, citing the large Italian community in Venezuela.
Indonesia
Indonesia’s foreign ministry said it was tracking the situation to ensure the safety of its citizens and urged all parties to pursue dialogue and protect civilians.
Ecuador
Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa welcomed the developments in a forceful message on X, declaring that “narco Chavista criminals” were nearing collapse and calling on Venezuela’s opposition and public to reclaim the country.
