The United States’ crackdown on Venezuela early Saturday over drug-trafficking allegations sent ripples around the world. From China to Russia, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Australia and Finland, several leaders from different countries have taken to social media to respond to the US strikes.
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While many condemned the strikes, some called for a transition to democracy and some called the government of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro “illegitimate”. Here’s what world leaders had to say:
Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs
A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said “China is deeply shocked and strongly condemns the US’s brazen use of force against a sovereign state and the action against its president.”
“Such hegemonic actions by the US seriously violate international law and Venezuela’s sovereignty, and threaten peace and security in Latin America and the Caribbean. China firmly opposes this,” the spokesman said.
China added: “We call on the US to abide by international law and the goals and principles of the UN Charter and stop violating the sovereignty and security of other countries.”
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer
Starmer said the UK has long supported the transfer of power in Venezuela. “We considered Maduro an illegitimate president and shed no tears over the end of his regime,” he added.
“This morning I reiterated my support for international law. The UK government will discuss the evolving situation with our US counterparts in the coming days as we seek a safe and peaceful transition to a legitimate government that reflects the will of the Venezuelan people,” Starmer wrote on X.
Russian Foreign Ministry
The Russian Foreign Ministry called on the US to release Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, calling them “legitimately elected leaders” and stressing that problems between the two countries should be resolved through dialogue.
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In a contribution to X“Given the confirmed reports that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife are in the United States, we strongly urge the US leadership to reconsider its position and release the legitimately elected president of a sovereign country and his wife.”
“We emphasize the need to create conditions for resolving any existing issues between the United States and Venezuela through dialogue,” the post said.
Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk
“Venezuela can now have the prosperity it deserves,” Must said.
French President Emmanuel Macron
Macron said: “Today, the Venezuelan people are freed from the dictatorship of Nicolás Maduro and can only rejoice. By seizing power and trampling on basic freedoms, Nicolás Maduro has seriously undermined the dignity of his own people.”
“The upcoming transition must be peaceful, democratic and respectful of the will of the Venezuelan people. We wish that President Edmundo González Urrutia, elected in 2024, can ensure this transition quickly,” Macron added.
“I am currently exchanging with our partners in the region. France is fully mobilized and vigilant, including ensuring the safety of its citizens in these uncertain times,” Macron said.
Brazilian President Lula da Silva
Lula said the bombings on Venezuelan soil and the capture of its president crossed an “unacceptable line.” He said: “These actions constitute the most serious affront to Venezuela’s sovereignty and another extremely dangerous precedent for the entire international community.”
Lula wrote on X: “Attacks on countries in flagrant violation of international law are the first step towards a world of violence, chaos and instability where the law of the strongest triumphs over multilateralism.
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He said: “The condemnation of the use of force is in line with the position that Brazil has always taken in recent situations in other countries and regions.”
“The action recalls the worst moments of interference in the politics of Latin America and the Caribbean and threatens to preserve the region as a zone of peace,” Lula said.
“The international community, through the United Nations, must respond strongly to this episode. Brazil condemns these actions and remains ready to promote the path of dialogue and cooperation,” he added.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo
“The great teaching of Benito Juárez in these moments must also be guided by the United States: peace between individuals and between nations is respect for the rights of others,” Pardo wrote on X.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni
Meloni wrote on X: “I have followed the development in Venezuela since the very first development.”
“Italy, together with its main international partners, has never recognized Maduro’s self-proclaimed electoral victory, has condemned the repressive actions of the regime and has always supported the efforts of the Venezuelan people to transition to democracy,” she said.
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“In line with Italy’s historical position, the government believes that external military action is not the way to end totalitarian regimes, but at the same time considers it a legitimate intervention of a defensive nature against hybrid attacks on its own security, as in the case of state entities that support and promote narcotics trafficking,” she added.
“We continue to monitor with particular attention the situation of the Italian community in Venezuela, whose security is the absolute priority of the government,” Meloni said.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamandii
In a post on X, Mamdani said: “I was informed this morning of the US military capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, as well as their planned incarceration in federal custody here in New York.”
“A unilateral attack on a sovereign nation is an act of war and a violation of federal and international law,” he said.
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“This blatant regime change effort doesn’t just affect those abroad, it has a direct impact on New Yorkers, including the tens of thousands of Venezuelans who call this city home. Their safety and the safety of every New Yorker is my focus, and my administration will continue to monitor the situation and issue relevant guidance,” Mamdani added.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney
In a lengthy post, Mark Carney wrote: “One of the first steps the new Canadian government took in March 2025 was to impose additional sanctions on the brutally repressive and criminal regime of Nicolás Maduro – unequivocally condemning its grave breaches of international peace and security, gross and systematic human rights abuses and corruption.
“Canada has not recognized the illegitimate Maduro regime since it stole the 2018 election. The Canadian government therefore welcomes the opportunity for freedom, democracy, peace and prosperity for the Venezuelan people,” said Mark Carney.
“Canada has long supported a peaceful, negotiated and Venezuelan-led transition process that respects the democratic will of the Venezuelan people. Consistent with our longstanding commitment to the rule of law, sovereignty and human rights, Canada calls on all parties to respect international law. We stand behind the sovereign right of the Venezuelan people to decide and build their own future in a peaceful and democratic society.”
“Canada attaches great importance to crisis management through multilateral engagement and is in close contact with international partners regarding ongoing developments. We are particularly prepared to assist Canadians through our consular officials and our embassy in Bogota, Colombia, and will continue to support Venezuelan refugees,” he said.
Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan
Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan “strongly” condemned” the “blatant US imperialist aggression against Venezuela by bombing various strategic centers”.
“This exposes a vicious operation by a rogue state that is fueling undisguised hostility in the Global South to impose its devious agendas,” he wrote on X.
Vijayan said: “It is also an act of terrorism that poses a threat to peace in Latin America, a continent with a legacy of such onslaught and anti-imperialist struggles.”
“All should rise in unity to challenge this brazen attack on Venezuela and resist imperialist moves against global peace,” he said.
The Indian government has not yet issued any official statement on the US attacks on Venezuela. However, it issued an advisory: “In view of recent developments in Venezuela, Indian nationals are strongly advised to avoid all non-essential travel to Venezuela.
“All Indians who are in Venezuela for any reason are advised to exercise extreme caution, limit their movement and stay in touch with the Indian Embassy in Caracas…,” the Ministry of External Affairs said.
UN Secretary General António Guterres
The United Nations said UN Secretary-General António Guterres was “deeply concerned by the escalation in Venezuela, which culminated in today’s US military action”.
He fears that international law has not been respected.
He called on all actors in Venezuela to engage in an inclusive dialogue with regard to human rights and the rule of law.
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission
Ursula said that she is following the situation in Venezuela very closely. “We stand with the people of Venezuela and support a peaceful and democratic transition. Any solution must respect international law and the UN Charter,” Ursula said.
“With HRVP @kajakallas and in coordination with EU member states, we ensure that EU citizens in the country can count on our full support,” she added.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
Albanese said the Australian government was monitoring developments in Venezuela.
“We call on all parties to promote dialogue and diplomacy to ensure regional stability and prevent escalation,” Albanese wrote on X.
He added that “Australia has long had concerns about the situation in Venezuela, including the need to respect democratic principles, human rights and fundamental freedoms.
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“We continue to support international law and a peaceful, democratic transition in Venezuela that reflects the will of the Venezuelan people,” he said.
“Australians in Venezuela who require assistance can contact the 24/7 emergency consular assistance team on +61 2 6261 3305 from anywhere in the world or 1300 555 135 from Australia,” Albanese said.
Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen
Valtonen said Finland, as part of the European Union, had previously declared that Nicolás Maduro’s government lacked legitimacy. “The EU consistently supports the country’s peaceful and democratic development,” Valtonen said.
She said: “All states have a responsibility to respect and act in accordance with international law. This principle is the cornerstone of Finland’s foreign policy.”
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is closely monitoring developments in Venezuela in cooperation with partners and allies,” she added.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez
Sánchez said Spain does not recognize Maduro’s regime. “But it will not even recognize an intervention that violates international law and pushes the region to the horizon of insecurity and aggression,” Sánchez said.
“We call on all actors to think of the civilian population, respect the United Nations Charter and formulate a just and dialogic transition,” Sánchez wrote on X.
South Africa
The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation said that the Government of South Africa notes with grave concern the recent developments confirmed by the United States.
“History has repeatedly shown that military invasions against sovereign states only lead to instability and deepening the crisis. Illegal, unilateral force of this nature undermines the stability of the international order and the principle of equality between nations,” the government’s statement reads.
He added: “South Africa is calling on the United Nations Security Council, the body charged with maintaining international peace and security, to meet urgently to address this situation.”
