The arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro by the US has provoked sharp and contradictory reactions in the international arena.
Modern.az reports that although the incident has led to heated discussions in global politics, leaders of many countries have issued cautious statements.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated US President Donald Trump, calling the operation a “courageous and historic step.”
Argentine President Javier Milei, on the other hand, described it as “excellent news for the free world” and stated that the dictatorial regime in Venezuela had collapsed.
Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa also wrote on social media, using strong language, that the collapse of the Maduro regime was inevitable. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha accused the Maduro government of violating human rights and emphasized their support for the democratic future of the Venezuelan people.
French President Emmanuel Macron stated that the transition in Venezuela should be peaceful and democratic, and expressed hope that Edmundo González Urrutia, who is said to have won the elections, would soon ensure this process. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz noted that the legal assessment of the operation was complex and stated that international law should be taken as the basis. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, on the other hand, explicitly stated that Madrid recognizes neither the Maduro regime nor military intervention that violates international law.
A representative of UN Secretary-General António Guterres called the events a “dangerous precedent” and called for respect for the UN Charter. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also expressed support for the Venezuelan people but emphasized that any solution must comply with international law.
The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs accused the US of “armed aggression” against Venezuela and called for the prevention of escalation. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemned Washington's action, characterizing it as the use of force against a sovereign state. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva called the bombing a severe blow to Venezuela's sovereignty. Iran, Mexico, Bolivia, Chile, Nicaragua, and Belarus also took a similar stance, evaluating the US military operation as a violation of international law.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that consultations would be held with allies to clarify the facts regarding the incident and said that London was not involved in the operation. Canada, Japan, Norway, Denmark, Singapore, and Malaysia also called for de-escalation, diplomatic negotiations, and respect for international law.
Thus, the collapse of the Maduro government is regarded by some as a “victory for freedom,” while by others it is seen as a dangerous step that undermines international order.
