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Nicolas Maduro captured by US troops: How world reacted; which countries backed Trump, which opposed attack on Venezuela

US strikes Venezuela: Venezuela’s Vice President Delcy Rodriguez said she did not know Nicolas Maduro’s whereabouts.

5 min readUpdated: Jan 3, 2026 08:34 PM IST

President Donald Trump, President Nicolas Maduro, Nicolas Maduro captured

President Donald Trump said President Nicolas Maduro had been captured and flown out of the country. (File Photo)

US attacks Venezuela updates: Governments and political leaders across the world reacted sharply Saturday after the United States launched pre-dawn military strikes on Venezuela, and President Donald Trump said President Nicolas Maduro had been captured and flown out of the country.

Venezuela explosions, US captures Maduru,

The United States launched a “large-scale strike” on Venezuela early Saturday. (Al-generated graphic)

Here’s how world leaders reacted

Russia condemns the action

The Russian foreign ministry said, “This morning, the United States committed an act of armed aggression against Venezuela. This is deeply concerning and condemnable.” It added that “ideological animosity has prevailed over business pragmatism” and called for dialogue, saying Latin America “must remain a zone of peace.”

European Union urges restraint

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said, “The EU has repeatedly stated that Mr Maduro lacks legitimacy and has defended a peaceful transition. Under all circumstances, the principles of international law and the UN Charter must be respected. We call for restraint.”

Chile condemns the strikes

Chile’s President Gabriel Boric condemned the strikes, writing on X: “We express our concern and condemnation of the military actions of the United States in Venezuela and call for a peaceful solution.”

Colombia expresses deep concern

Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro said Bogota viewed with “deep concern the reports of explosions and unusual air activity” and rejected “any unilateral military action that could aggravate the situation or put the civilian population at risk.”

Iran vows resistance

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei struck a defiant tone, saying, “We will not yield to the enemy,” and vowed resistance.

Spain urges restraint, offers mediation

Spain called for de-escalation, saying it was willing to offer its “good offices to achieve a peaceful and negotiated solution.” Indonesia also urged dialogue and the protection of civilians.

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Trinidad and Tobago distances itself from US operation

Trinidad and Tobago sought to distance itself from the operation. Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar said the country was “NOT a participant in any of these ongoing military operations.”

Germany warns of collapse of trust in the US

In Europe, Germany’s conservative lawmaker Roderich Kiesewetter said, “Trump is destroying what was left of any trust in the U.S.”

UK’s Farage backs strikes despite legal concerns

Britain’s Reform UK leader Nigel Farage described the strikes as “unorthodox and contrary to international law” but added they “may be a good thing.”

Italy says strikes have ‘no legal basis’

Former Italian prime minister Giuseppe Conte said the attack had “no legal basis” and warned that if rules applied only to enemies, “no one can feel safe anymore.”

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International law experts reject US justification

Legal experts also weighed in. Chatham House’s Marc Weller said, “Clearly, none of these requirements are fulfilled by the armed operation against Venezuela.”

What next for Venezuela and the region?

It is unclear who will assume effective control in Caracas. Vice President Delcy Rodriguez could take charge, but senior officials urged resistance and warned citizens not to cooperate with what Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello called the “terrorist enemy.”

Also, Maduro’s legal fate remains uncertain. Trump said the operation was carried out “in conjunction with U.S. Law Enforcement,” raising the prospect of a criminal trial similar to that of Panama’s Manuel Noriega, who spent 20 years in prison in the United States.

The strikes also risk international escalation. Russia, Iran and Cuba have condemned the operation, while several Latin American governments have called for an emergency UN Security Council meeting.

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Besides, Trump faces potential political backlash at home. It remains unclear under what legal authority the strikes were launched, and the move could provoke resistance in Congress and among Trump’s own “America First” supporters who oppose overseas military interventions.

Economically, Venezuela’s state oil company PDVSA said production was continuing normally. Analysts warned oil prices could rise in the short term due to instability, but fall later if sanctions are lifted under a new government.

Also Read | Why US troops ‘captured’ President Nicolás Maduro