World reacts to US military operation in Venezuela
The international community has issued a wave of strong reactions following the United States’ military operation in Venezuela, during which, according to Washington, the country’s president Nicolás Maduro was detained and taken out of the country. Major world powers and international organizations stressed the need to uphold international law and respect state sovereignty, Qazinform News Agency reports.
The operation was carried out on January 3. US authorities said strikes were conducted on several targets in Venezuela and that Maduro and his wife were detained. US President Donald Trump later stated that Washington intends to take control of the situation in Venezuela and make use of its oil resources.
Russia, China and Iran
Russia sharply criticized the US actions, describing them as armed aggression.
“Today, the United States committed an act of armed aggression against Venezuela. This causes deep concern and condemnation,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said. “Latin America must remain a zone of peace. Venezuela must be guaranteed the right to determine its own destiny without any external, especially military, interference.”
Moscow also supported calls for an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council.
China also issued a strong condemnation through its Foreign Ministry.
“China is deeply shocked by and strongly condemns the U.S.’s blatant use of force against a sovereign state and action against its president,” a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said. “Such hegemonic acts of the U.S. seriously violate international law and Venezuela’s sovereignty, and threaten peace and security in Latin America and the Caribbean region.”
Iran described the US operation as a clear act of aggression and urged immediate international response.
“The Foreign Ministry of the Islamic Republic of Iran strongly condemns the US military attack on Venezuela and the blatant violation of the country’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the statement said. “The US military attack on Venezuela constitutes a clear violation of the fundamental principles of the UN Charter and the basic rules of international law, particularly Article 2(4) of the Charter, and fully qualifies as an act of aggression.”
Tehran called on the United Nations and the Security Council to act immediately.
Latin American countries and Spain
Several Latin American countries and Spain issued a joint statement in response to the developments in Venezuela. Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Uruguay and Spain expressed deep concern and rejected unilateral military actions carried out on Venezuelan territory.
According to the statement, such actions violate fundamental principles of international law, including the prohibition of the use or threat of force, as well as respect for state sovereignty and territorial integrity enshrined in the UN Charter. The signatory countries warned that these actions set a highly dangerous precedent for peace and regional security and place the civilian population at risk.
The governments stressed that the situation in Venezuela must be resolved exclusively through peaceful means, including dialogue, negotiation, and respect for the will of the Venezuelan people, without external interference. They underlined that only an inclusive political process led by Venezuelans themselves can lead to a democratic and sustainable solution.
The statement also reaffirmed Latin America and the Caribbean as a zone of peace and called on the UN Secretary General and relevant multilateral mechanisms to contribute to de-escalation and the preservation of regional stability.
In addition, the countries expressed concern over any attempt at external governmental control, administration, or appropriation of Venezuela’s natural or strategic resources, warning that such actions are incompatible with international law and threaten the political, economic, and social stability of the region.
“These actions constitute an extremely dangerous precedent for peace and regional security and put the civilian population at risk,” the joint statement said.
EU and UN
The European Union called for calm and restraint following the US intervention in Venezuela, warning against further escalation.
In a statement by EU High Representative Kaja Kallas, supported by 26 EU member states, the bloc stressed the need to uphold international law.
“Under all circumstances, the principles of international law and the UN Charter must be respected. We call for restraint,” the statement said.
The EU reiterated its position that Nicolás Maduro lacks democratic legitimacy and reaffirmed support for a Venezuelan led, peaceful transition, while urging full respect for human rights and international humanitarian law.
UN Secretary General António Guterres expressed deep concern over the US military actions in Venezuela, warning of serious risks for international security.
According to a statement released by the UN, Guterres said the escalation around Venezuela and the US intervention could have far-reaching consequences beyond the country.
“Independently of the situation in Venezuela, these developments constitute a dangerous precedent,” the UN Secretary General said, stressing the need for full respect of international law and the UN Charter.
He called on all parties to engage in inclusive dialogue in line with international law and human rights, underscoring the importance of preventing further escalation.
The situation around Venezuela continues to evolve, with the international community closely watching further developments and possible actions by global institutions.
Earlier, Qazinform News Agency reported that US President Donald Trump said the United States would temporarily “run” Venezuela following the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
