Global reaction to US strikes on Venezuela includes condemnation and concern for foreign nationals

International leaders reacted quickly Saturday morning when President Trump confirmed US military strikes in Venezuela and announced the capture of the country’s leader, Nicolas Maduro, and his wife.

Many of the United States’ adversaries, including some of Venezuela’s closest neighbors, have condemned the strikes, while other governments around the world have called for de-escalation and expressed concern for their citizens in the Latin American country.

Latin American reaction

Colombia, which shares a border with Venezuela, has called for urgent de-escalation. It said it had “implemented measures to protect the civilian population, preserve stability on the Colombian-Venezuelan border, and respond quickly to any potential humanitarian or migratory needs.”

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel called the operation is an “American criminal attack”. He said the country had denounced the attack and called for an “URGENT response from the international community.”

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva called the US actions a “grave affront” to Venezuela’s sovereignty, the AFP news agency reported. He said the strikes and Maduro’s capture “cross an unacceptable line” and threaten “the preservation of the region as a zone of peace”, according to AFP.

Iran and Russia condemn US action in Venezuela

Iran also condemned the attack, calling it a “blatant violation of the national sovereignty and territorial integrity” of Venezuela, the AFP news agency reported. Mr. Trump recently responded to reports that at least eight people were killed in the middle almost a week of escalation of demonstrations in Iran by warning the Middle Eastern country that the United States was “locked, loaded and ready to go.”

The Russian Foreign Ministry accused the United States of “an act of armed aggression against Venezuela.” This is deeply worrying and condemnable” in a statement, according to the Reuters news agency.

“The pretexts used to justify such actions are unfounded. Ideological animosity has prevailed over business pragmatism and the desire to build relationships based on trust and predictability,” the statement said. “In the current situation, it is important above all to avoid further escalation and to focus on finding a way out of the situation through dialogue.”

The Russian government has called for Venezuela “to be guaranteed the right to determine its own destiny without any destructive, let alone military, interference from outside,” and has backed other calls for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council.

European countries call for de-escalation and express concerns about Venezuelan nationals

Kaja Kallas, senior European Union diplomat said that she had spoken to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the EU ambassador in Caracas. She said the EU was “closely monitoring the situation” and noted that it had “repeatedly stated that Mr Maduro lacks legitimacy”.

“In all circumstances, the principles of international law and the Charter of the United Nations must be respected,” Kallas wrote. “We call for restraint. The security of European citizens in the country is our top priority.”

European countries, including Italy and Belgium, have said the safety of their citizens is their top priority and they are monitoring the situation.

The Spanish Foreign Ministry issued a statement calling for “de-escalation and moderation, and that measures always be taken in accordance with international law and the principles of the United Nations Charter,” according to Reuters.

The Spanish ministry added an offer to help with mediation “to achieve a peaceful and negotiated solution to the current crisis.”

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Saturday that all countries should “respect international law” and added that “the UK was not involved in any way in this operation.” He urged patience in order to “establish the facts.”

“I want to talk to President Trump, I want to talk to my allies,” the British leader said in brief comments broadcast on British television hours after the US attack. “I can be absolutely clear that we were not involved in this. And as you know, I say and always believe that we should all respect international law.”

Netanyahu praises Trump

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Mr. Trump for his “bold and historic leadership for freedom and justice.”

“I salute your determination and the brilliant action of your courageous soldiers,” he wrote on social networks.