Global Leaders Express Concerns Over US Military Action in Venezuela

Thu Feb 19 2026 05:42:53 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A dramatic US strike leads to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, triggering worldwide reactions ranging from condemnation to support.

After US forces captured President Nicolás Maduro of Venezuela amid military strikes related to drug charges, global leaders reacted with a mixture of support and condemnation. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer shows approval of the regime's end, while criticisms arise from Latin American neighbors and Maduro's allies, with calls for peaceful transitions emphasized by European leaders. The operation's legality and implications for international relations remain hotly debated.

Leaders around the world have responded with a mix of condemnation and support to the US capture of Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro. Following a large-scale strike on Venezuela on Saturday, Maduro and his wife were captured by US forces and removed from the country. The pair have been indicted on drug charges in New York.

In an initial response, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said his government would shed no tears for the end of Maduro's regime.

Neighbouring Latin American countries condemned the actions, as did Venezuela's long-term allies, Russia and China. China said it was deeply shocked and strongly condemns the use of force against a sovereign country and its president.

Russia accused the US of committing an act of armed aggression. Iran, which is locked in its own dispute with Trump over his promise of intervention in its country, called the strikes a flagrant violation of the country's national sovereignty.

Trump said the US will run Venezuela until we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition. Many Latin American leaders condemned the US actions. Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula Da Silva wrote on X that the actions cross an unacceptable line, adding that attacking countries in flagrant violation of international law is the first step toward a world of violence, chaos, and instability.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro called the strikes an assault on the sovereignty of Latin America, while Chile's President Gabriel Boric expressed concern and condemnation and called for a peaceful solution to the serious crisis affecting the country.

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Cane accused the US of a criminal attack, while Uruguay said in an official statement that it was monitoring developments with attention and serious concern and rejects, as it always has, military intervention.

The Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello urged citizens to remain calm and to trust the country's leadership and military, saying the world needs to speak out about this attack according to news agency Reuters.

Meanwhile, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer refused to be drawn into whether the military action may have broken international law. He did not condemn the US strikes in an interview, stating he was waiting to establish all the facts.

The EU's top diplomat reiterated the bloc's position that Maduro lacks legitimacy, pushing for a peaceful transition of power while emphasizing the importance of respecting international law. Meanwhile, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres expressed deep concern over the strikes, warning they set a dangerous precedent.

In the US, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer criticized the military action as reckless without congressional approval. In contrast, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Trump's leadership concerning the situation.

As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how these dramatic developments will shape international relations in the region.