How world reacted to US attack on Venezuela

Donald Trump said on Saturday morning that US troops had carried out a “large-scale strike” on Venezuela and captured its president, Nicolás Maduro, and his wife, Cilia Flores.

The attack came after months of mounting pressure on Venezuela, marked by an increased American military presence in South America and operations in the eastern Pacific and Caribbean that Washington said were tied to drug trafficking claims, allegations that Maduro had already dismissed as a pretext for targeting the country.

International reactions poured in following US attacks on Venezuela, as multiple countries urged dialogue, opposed foreign intervention, and issued safety advisories for their citizens.

Indonesia called for de-escalation and dialogue following US strikes against Venezuela, and stressed the importance of international law and principles.

Jakarta continues to closely monitor developments in Venezuela to ensure the safety of its citizens, a statement by Indonesia’s Foreign Ministry said on US social media company X.

“Indonesia also calls on all relevant parties to prioritize peaceful resolution through de-escalation and dialogue, while prioritizing the protection of civilians,” the statement added.

“Indonesia emphasizes the importance of respecting international law and the principles of the UN Charter,” the statement added, Anadolu Agency reported.

Separately, the Malaysian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Kuala Lumpur is closely monitoring the situation in Venezuela.

“As a matter of principle, Malaysia opposes all forms of foreign intervention in the internal affairs of other states, as well as the threat or use of force,” the statement said.

Separately, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung instructed officials to ensure the protection of South Korean nationals in Venezuela and to prepare evacuation plans if necessary.

China’s Foreign Ministry and the Chinese Embassy in Venezuela issued a statement, advising Chinese citizens to temporarily refrain from traveling to Venezuela.

Chinese nationals and institutions currently in Venezuela are advised to closely monitor the local security situation, strengthen safety precautions and emergency preparedness, and avoid unnecessary outings, the statement said.

The Philippines also advised its citizens in Venezuela to stay vigilant, monitor the developments, and remain indoors.

Separately, the Japanese Foreign Ministry said in a statement that it has immediately set up a local response headquarters at the Embassy of Japan in Venezuela, adding that Tokyo will continue to take all possible measures to gather information and protect Japanese nationals.

India also asked its nationals “to avoid all non-essential travel to Venezuela,” in view of “recent developments.”

China is deeply shocked by and strongly condemns the U.S.’s blatant use of force against a sovereign state and action against its president, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said here Saturday.

Russia denounced the strikes as unlawful and illegitimate. Konstantin Kosachev, Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council, wrote on Telegram that Venezuela posed no threat to the United States, making the operation baseless.

He stressed that “order must be based on international law, not self-made rules,” warning that the precedent undermines global stability.

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel described the attack as “criminal” and called for an immediate international response. Writing on X, he said the strike represented a brutal assault on the region’s peace and urged global solidarity against what he termed aggression.

Colombia expressed deep concern over the escalation. President Gustavo Petro issued a statement emphasizing Colombia’s commitment to the UN Charter, particularly respect for sovereignty and the prohibition of force.

He condemned unilateral military actions that could endanger civilians and worsen tensions, urging immediate de-escalation to preserve peace and stability in Latin America.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk acknowledged the gravity of the situation, saying the year had begun with a “heavy blow.”

He revealed that at least 11 Polish citizens remain in Venezuela despite repeated warnings to avoid travel there. Tusk pledged that Warsaw is monitoring developments closely and preparing for potential consequences, adding that Poland will “react and adapt to this new situation.”

Madrid called for de-escalation, moderation, and respect for international law. In a statement, the Spanish Foreign Ministry emphasized the need to avoid further violence and offered Spain’s role as a mediator to help facilitate dialogue and a peaceful resolution.

Spain’s appeal highlights Europe’s growing concern about instability in Latin America and its potential global repercussions.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said she was “closely monitoring the situation in Venezuela,” with a particular focus on gathering information about Italian citizens in the country.

With an estimated 160,000 Italians living in Venezuela, many holding dual citizenship, Rome is prioritizing the safety of its nationals while assessing the broader impact of the crisis.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry also strongly condemned the military attack, calling it a “flagrant violation” of the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

In a statement, the ministry described the attack as an “act of aggression” and a clear breach of the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter and international law prohibiting the use of force against sovereign states.

MNA