TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Countries around the world have condemned the United States' attack on Venezuela after President Donald Trump stated on Saturday, January 3, 2026, that US forces had captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro following a 'large-scale attack' in the South American country.
Russia and Iran, as reported by CNBC, have denounced the US attack on Venezuela on Saturday morning. Elsewhere, world leaders, as cited by Al Arabiya, called for de-escalation and stated that they are monitoring the situation.
Russia
The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs referred to Saturday's attack on Venezuela as "an act of armed aggression" that is "deeply concerning and condemnable."
"The pretexts used to justify such actions are unfounded ...In the current situation, it is important, first and foremost, to prevent further escalation and to focus on finding a way out of the situation through dialogue."
"Latin America must remain a zone of peace, as it declared itself to be in 2014. And Venezuela must be guaranteed the right to determine its own destiny without any destructive, let alone military, interference from outside."
The Russian Foreign Ministry stated that they are joining authorities in Venezuela and leaders of Latin American countries in calling for an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council.
Iran
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei stated that the US "arrogantly trying to impose something on the country, on the officials, on the government, and on the nation."
"We will not yield to the enemy," he said.
Meanwhile, Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement declared that they "strongly condemns the American military attack on Venezuela and the flagrant violation of the national sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country."
Colombia
Colombian President Gustavo Petro, in a social media post on X, called for a UN Security Council meeting, stating that the US attack is "aggression against the sovereignty of Venezuela and Latin America."
Petro said Colombia also declared it would deploy troops to the border "in case of a massive influx of refugees."
European Union
Kaja Kallas, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, stated in a post on X that the EU is closely monitoring the situation in Venezuela.
"I have spoken with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and our Ambassador in Caracas... The EU has repeatedly stated that Mr Maduro lacks legitimacy and has defended a peaceful transition," Kallas claimed.
"Under all circumstances, the principles of international law and the UN Charter must be respected. We call for restraint. The safety of EU citizens in the country is our top priority," Kallas stated.
Germany
In Germany, Roderich Kiesewetter, a prominent member of the Christian Democratic Union, described the US attack as a "coup."
"With President [Donald] Trump, the US are abandoning the rules-based order that has shaped us since 1945," he said.
"The coup in Venezuela marks a return to the old U.S. doctrine from before 1940: a mindset of thinking in terms of spheres of influence, where the law of force rules, not international law."
Kiesewetter added, "Trump is destroying what was left of any trust in the US."
Meanwhile, the German Foreign Ministry stated that they are observing the situation in Venezuela with great concern and a crisis team will meet later for further discussion.
A written communication stated that the ministry is in close contact with the embassy in Caracas and the crisis team will meet on Saturday.
Belgium
Maxime Prevot, the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Belgium, stated that the safety of their citizens in Venezuela is the top priority of the European country.
"Our embassy in Bogotá, which is responsible for Venezuela, and our services in Brussels are fully mobilized. The situation is being closely monitored, in coordination with our European partners."
Spain
Spain called for de-escalation, moderation, and respect for international law in Venezuela, the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in a release.
"In this regard, Spain is willing to offer its good offices to achieve a peaceful and negotiated solution to the current crisis," the ministry's statement read.
Italy
Giuseppe Conte, the former Prime Minister and current leader of the opposition party in Italy, stated that the US operation "has no legal basis."
"We are facing a blatant violation of international law, which asserts the dominance of the most powerful and comprehensive militarily... I hope the entire international community will voice their opinion and everyone will understand that if rules only apply to enemies and not friends, no one can feel safe anymore. The illiberal nature of the government also cannot justify an attack on a sovereign country."
Meanwhile, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani stated that Rome and its diplomatic representatives in Caracas are closely monitoring all developments in Venezuela with particular attention to the Italian community in the country.
Tajani stated in a post on X that Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is continuously briefed and that the foreign ministry's crisis unit is in operation.
Trinidad and Tobago
In Trinidad and Tobago, Prime Minister Kamala Persad-Bissessar affirmed that the country is not participating in the US military operation in Venezuela.
"Trinidad and Tobago continues to maintain peaceful relations with the people of Venezuela," Persad-Bissessar stated.
Read: Trump Posts Photo of Nicolas Maduro Kidnapped by US Forces
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