World Leaders Condemn US Attack on Venezuela, Warn of Escalation

Global condemnation mounted on Saturday after the United States launched a large-scale military strike inside Venezuela, with several governments warning that the operation risks violating international law and destabilising the region.

US President Donald Trump claimed the strike resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, saying they were removed from the country during a joint military and law-enforcement operation. Venezuelan authorities acknowledged the attacks but did not confirm any arrests, and no independent verification of Trump's claim was available.

Latin American leaders were among the first to respond. Colombian President Gustavo Petro warned that Venezuela had come under attack and called on the international community to prioritise peace, respect for international law and the protection of human life over armed confrontation.

Cuba issued one of the strongest condemnations, describing the US action as a "criminal attack" and accusing Washington of state terrorism. President Miguel Díaz-Canel urged an urgent global response, warning that the strike threatened regional peace and stability.

Iran also condemned the operation, saying the US had violated Venezuela's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Russia expressed deep concern, calling the strike an act of armed aggression and urging restraint, dialogue and non-intervention, while reaffirming its support for Venezuela's leadership.

European reactions were more measured. Spain called for de-escalation and respect for international law and said it was prepared to help mediate a peaceful political solution.

Russia strongly condemned the reported US military strikes on Venezuela, calling them a violation of international law and without justification. Deputy Speaker of the Federation Council, Konstantin Kosachev, wrote on Telegram that Venezuela posed no threat to the United States and that the operation "has no substantive basis." He emphasized that global order should be guided by international law, not unilateral actions, and warned that such strikes undermine stability. Kosachev's statement marked the first official response from a senior Russian official following the incident, highlighting Moscow's support for Venezuela and its rejection of what it sees as an unlawful and destabilizing military operation.

The Venezuelan government denounced the strike as an "extremely serious military aggression" against its territory and people, accusing the United States of breaching national sovereignty.

With Washington defending the operation, Caracas rejecting Trump's claims, and a growing chorus of international criticism, the future of Venezuela's leadership and the broader regional fallout remain uncertain as global attention turns to the next steps in the crisis.