New Delhi: The United States military strikes on Venezuela and the capture of President Nicolás Maduro triggered a polarised international response on Saturday, with major Latin American powers, China, Russia and Iran denouncing the action as illegal aggression while U.S.-aligned governments in the region celebrated what they called a step toward freedom.The United Nations has warned that the operation sets a “dangerous precedent,” while the European Union, Germany and Britain adopted more cautious positions.UN warns of ‘dangerous precedent’UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed deep alarm over the escalation, which follows months of military build-up and the recent seizure of oil tankers by US forces.In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, Guterres noted that the military action has “potential worrying implications for the region”.“Independently of the situation in Venezuela, these developments constitute a dangerous precedent,” the statement read. “The Secretary-General continues to emphasise the importance of full respect – by all – of international law, including the UN Charter.”The UN human rights chief, Volker Türk, also called for restraint, emphasising that the “protection of the people of Venezuela is paramount.” Venezuela has already formally requested an emergency session of the UN Security Council in New York.The UN response comes as US President Donald Trump announced from Mar-a-Lago that the US intends to “run Venezuela” until a transition of power is complete, adding that US oil companies would be brought in to “modernise and renovate infrastructure.”Latin America splits as strikes beginSeveral Latin American governments aligned with Caracas strongly condemned the US action, framing it as a violation of sovereignty and international law.Colombian President Gustavo Petro emerged as the first international leader to react, posting a rapid series of messages on X as reports surfaced of missiles striking Caracas.En este momento bombardean Caracas. Alerta atodo el mundo han atacado a VenezuelaBombardean con misiles.Debe reunirse la OEA y la ONU de inmediato.— Gustavo Petro (@petrogustavo) January 3, 2026Petro, whose country borders Venezuela, said his government “rejects the aggression against the sovereignty of Venezuela and Latin America”, even as he shared what he described as videos of civilian casualties and posted the Venezuelan government’s statement in full.After convening a national security council meeting at 3 am, Petro announced the deployment of Colombian security forces along the Venezuelan border in anticipation of a potential refugee crisis.Acabamos de terminar consejo de seguridad nacional desde las 3 am.Se despliega la fuerza pública en la frontera, se despliega toda la fuerza asistencial que dispongamos en caso de entrada masiva de refugiados.La embajada de Colombia en Venezuela está activa a llamadas de…— Gustavo Petro (@petrogustavo) January 3, 2026He added that Colombia’s embassy in Caracas was assisting nationals and said Bogota would seek to convene the United Nations Security Council. Calling for restraint, Petro urged Venezuelans to “find the paths of civil dialogue and its unity,” emphasising that “without sovereignty there is no nation”.Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel issued one of the sharpest condemnations, denouncing what he described it as “state terrorism” and warning that Latin America and the Caribbean’s status as a “zone of peace” had been violated.“Our #ZonaDePaz is being brutally assaulted. State terrorism against the brave Venezuelan people and against Our America,” Díaz-Canel posted on X, ending with the revolutionary slogan: “Homeland or Death We Shall Overcome!”#Cuba denuncia y demanda URGENTE reacción de la comunidad internacional contra criminal ataque de E.U a #Venezuela. Nuestra #ZonaDePaz está siendo brutalmente asaltada. Terrorismo de Estado contra el bravo pueblo venezolano y contra Nuestra América.Patria o Muerte ¡Venceremos!— Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez (@DiazCanelB) January 3, 2026Chile struck a more measured but critical tone. President Gabriel Boric said his government condemned the U.S. military actions and called for a peaceful solution to the crisis, reaffirming Chile’s adherence to international law and the principles of the United Nations Charter.Como Gobierno de Chile expresamos nuestra preocupación y condena por las acciones militares de Estados Unidos que se desarrollan en Venezuela y hacemos un llamado a buscar una salida pacífica a la grave crisis que afecta al país.Chile reafirma su adhesión a principios básicos…— Gabriel Boric Font (@GabrielBoric) January 3, 2026Brazil condemns ‘unacceptable’ attack on sovereigntyBrazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva declared that “the bombings on Venezuelan territory and the capture of its president cross an unacceptable line”.“These acts represent a most serious affront to Venezuela’s sovereignty and yet another extremely dangerous precedent for the entire international community,” Lula wrote on social media. “Attacking countries, in flagrant violation of international law, is the first step toward a world of violence, chaos, and instability, where the law of the strongest prevails over multilateralism.”Os bombardeios em território venezuelano e a captura do seu presidente ultrapassam uma linha inaceitável. Esses atos representam uma afronta gravíssima à soberania da Venezuela e mais um precedente extremamente perigoso para toda a comunidade internacional.Atacar países, em…— Lula (@LulaOficial) January 3, 2026The Brazilian president warned that “the action recalls the worst moments of interference in the politics of Latin America and the Caribbean and threatens the preservation of the region as a zone of peace”.Lula called for a vigorous response from the international community through the United Nations, noting that “Brazil condemns these actions and remains available to promote the path of dialogue and cooperation.”According to Brazilian television channel GloboNews, Lula convened an emergency meeting at Brazil’s Foreign Ministry, to analyse the situation. The meeting took place under unusual circumstances, with Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira officially on vacation and Lula himself outside Brasilia for a holiday at a military base in Rio de Janeiro.Mexico invokes UN CharterMexican President Claudia Sheinbaum posted a statement, with a tweet citing Article 2, paragraph 4 of the UN Charter. “All Members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations,” the Charter states.El Artículo 2, párrafo 4 de la Carta de las Naciones Unidas dice textualmente:“Los Miembros de la Organización, en sus relaciones internacionales, se abstendrán de recurrir a la amenaza o al uso de la fuerza contra la integridad territorial o la independencia política de…— Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo (@Claudiashein) January 3, 2026In its official statement, the Mexican government “strongly condemns and rejects the military actions carried out unilaterally in the last few hours by the armed forces of the United States of America against objectives in the territory of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela”.Mexico warned that the operation puts regional stability at serious risk, emphasising that “Latin America and the Caribbean is a zone of peace, built on the basis of mutual respect, the peaceful resolution of disputes and the prohibition of the use and threat of force.”Despite its strong condemnation, Mexico signalled openness to playing a mediating role, expressing willingness to support any effort to facilitate dialogue that contributes to preserving regional peace.Six countries issue joint statementOn January 4, the governments of Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Uruguay and Spain issued a coordinated joint statement expressing “profound concern” and firmly rejecting “the military actions undertaken unilaterally in Venezuelan territory,” which they said “contravene fundamental principles of international law, particularly the prohibition on the use or threat of force.”The six countries described the US operation as “an extremely dangerous precedent for peace and regional security” that endangers the civilian population, and reiterated that Venezuela’s situation “must be resolved exclusively by peaceful means, through dialogue, negotiation, and respect for the will of the Venezuelan people.”The statement reaffirmed “the status of Latin America and the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace,” and expressed concern “regarding any attempt at governmental control, administration, or external appropriation of natural or strategic resources” – an apparent reference to Trump’s stated intention to have US oil companies operate Venezuelan infrastructure. The signatories called on the UN Secretary-General and member states to help de-escalate tensions.Pro-US Latin American leaders celebrateIn sharp contrast, several U.S.-aligned Latin American leaders celebrated the operation.LA LIBERTAD AVANZAVIVA LA LIBERTAD CARAJO pic.twitter.com/yexGuQfKvF— Javier Milei (@JMilei) January 3, 2026Argentine President Javier Milei on Friday posted the slogan “La Libertad Avanza. Viva la libertad, carajo” on social media in response to fast moving developments in Venezuela, a phrase that translates as “Freedom moves forward. Long live freedom, damn it.” The message, a long standing rallying cry of Milei and the name of his political coalition, was a shout of support for Milei, who had been endorsed by Trump in the last local Argentine elections.El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele reposted an earlier message on X in July last year linked to Venezuela and its government under Nicolás Maduro, reviving remarks made around a prisoner exchange that involved the release of Venezuelan detainees.The repost claimed that Caracas was “shouting and getting indignant” because it had “run out of hostages from the world’s most powerful country”, a reference to the Maduro government’s past use of detained foreign nationals as leverage in negotiations with the U.S.Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa issued a pointed message directly addressing Venezuelan opposition leaders María Corina Machado and Edmundo González Urrutia, who claim to have won the disputed July 2024 presidential election. “To all the narco chavista criminals, your time is coming. Your structure will completely collapse across the entire continent. To @MariaCorinaYA @EdmundoGU and the Venezuelan people, it’s time to reclaim your country. You have an ally in Ecuador.”A todos los criminales narco chavistas les llega su hora. Su estructura terminará de caer en todo el continente.A @MariaCorinaYA @EdmundoGU y al pueblo venezolano: es momento de recuperar su país. Tienen un aliado en Ecuador.— Daniel Noboa Azin (@DanielNoboaOk) January 3, 2026Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar issued a brief statement emphasising her nation’s non-involvement. “Earlier this morning, Saturday 3rd January 2026, the United States commenced military operations within the territory of Venezuela. Trinidad and Tobago is NOT a participant in any of these ongoing military operations. Trinidad and Tobago continues to maintain peaceful relations with the people of Venezuela.”European Union calls for respect of international lawThe European Union called for de-escalation while avoiding direct condemnation of the U.S. operation. European Council President António Costa said he was following the situation “with great concern”, stressing that any resolution must occur “in full respect of international law and the principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations”.I am following the situation in Venezuela with great concern. The European Union calls for de-escalation and a resolution in full respect of international law and the principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations.The European Union will continue to support a…— António Costa (@eucopresident) January 3, 2026EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas confirmed she had spoken with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the EU Ambassador in Caracas. While acknowledging that “the EU has repeatedly stated that Mr. Maduro lacks legitimacy and has defended a peaceful transition”, Kallas stressed that “under all circumstances, the principles of international law and the UN Charter must be respected”.“We call for restraint,” Kallas said, adding that “the safety of EU citizens in the country is our top priority”.I have spoken with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and our Ambassador in Caracas. The EU is closely monitoring the situation in Venezuela.The EU has repeatedly stated that Mr Maduro lacks legitimacy and has defended a peaceful transition. Under all circumstances, the principles…— Kaja Kallas (@kajakallas) January 3, 2026On January 4, the EU High Representative issued a more detailed statement supported by 26 EU Member States, calling for “calm and restraint by all actors, to avoid escalation and to ensure a peaceful solution to the crisis.”The statement emphasised that “under all circumstances, the principles of international law and the UN Charter must be upheld,” noting that “Members of the United Nations Security Council have a particular responsibility to uphold those principles, as a pillar of the international security architecture.”While reiterating that “Nicolás Maduro lacks the legitimacy of a democratically elected president,” the EU stressed that “the right of the Venezuelan people to determine their future must be respected” and advocated for “a Venezuelan-led peaceful transition to democracy in the country, respectful of its sovereignty.”The regional body acknowledged sharing “the priority of combating transnational organised crime and drug trafficking” but stressed “these challenges must be addressed through sustained cooperation in full respect of international law and the principles of territorial integrity and sovereignty.”The statement called for the unconditional release of “all political prisoners currently detained in Venezuela” and emphasised the importance of respecting human rights and international humanitarian law.France warns of ‘heavy consequences’ for world securityFrench Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot issued a strongly worded statement that criticised both the Maduro government and the U.S. military operation, while warning of broader implications for international order.En confisquant le pouvoir au peuple vénézuélien, en le privant de ses libertés fondamentales, Nicolás Maduro a porté une atteinte grave à sa dignité et à son droit à l’auto-détermination. La France s’est engagée avec constance, notamment par ses actions de médiation, en faveur du…— Jean-Noël Barrot (@jnbarrot) January 3, 2026Barrot wrote that “by confiscating power from the Venezuelan people and depriving them of their fundamental freedoms, Nicolás Maduro has gravely undermined their dignity and their right to self-determination.” He noted that France has “consistently committed itself, particularly through its mediation efforts, to upholding the sovereignty of the Venezuelan people, whose voice must take precedence.”However, Barrot stated unequivocally that “the military operation that led to the capture of Nicolás Maduro violates the principle of non-resort to force that underpins international law”.“France recalls that no lasting political solution can be imposed from the outside and that sovereign peoples alone decide their future,” he said.In a pointed warning about the erosion of international norms, Barrot added that “the repeated violations of this principle by nations entrusted with the primary responsibility as permanent members of the United Nations Security Council will have heavy consequences for world security, sparing no one”.“Informed by History, France is preparing for it, but cannot resign itself to it,” the minister concluded, reiterating France’s attachment to the UN Charter, “which must continue to guide the international action of States, always and everywhere.”Germany urges political solutionGermany’s foreign ministry on Saturday called for a political solution. “We call on all involved parties to avoid an escalation of the situation and to seek ways for a political settlement,” said a written communication obtained by Reuters. “International law has to be respected … Venezuelans deserve a peaceful and democratic future,” it added. The ministry said it was in close contact with the embassy in Caracas.Spain offers mediationSpain, which has not recognised the results of Venezuela’s July 28, 2024 elections, issued its own call for “de-escalation and moderation” while offering to help broker a peaceful resolution.The Spanish foreign ministry stated that Madrid is “willing to offer its good offices to help achieve a peaceful and negotiated solution to the current crisis.”Spain emphasised its long-standing support for “initiatives aimed at achieving a democratic solution for Venezuela” and noted it has provided refuge to “tens of thousands of Venezuelans who have had to leave their country for political reasons”. The statement reaffirmed Madrid’s willingness to “help in the search for a democratic, negotiated, and peaceful solution for the country”.Britain says it was not involvedBritish Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed that Britain was not involved in the U.S. strikes on Venezuela and emphasised the importance of upholding international law, though he stopped short of condemning the action.“It’s obviously a fast-moving situation and we need to establish all the facts,” Starmer told British broadcasters, as quoted by Reuters. “I want to speak to President Trump. I want to speak to allies. I can be absolutely clear that we were not involved, and I always say and believe we should all uphold international law.”Asked if he condemned the U.S. action like the leaders of Britain’s left-leaning Liberal Democrat and Green parties, who both called it unlawful, Starmer said he first wanted to understand exactly what had happened.US Allies Australia and Canada stress Venezuelan-Led transitionAustralia and Canada, both close US allies with defence and intelligence partnerships, issued responses that emphasised international law while avoiding direct condemnation of Washington.Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called for “dialogue and diplomacy in order to secure regional stability and prevent escalation,” saying Australia had “long held concerns about the situation in Venezuela, including the need to respect democratic principles, human rights and fundamental freedoms.” He urged support for “international law and a peaceful, democratic transition in Venezuela that reflects the will of the Venezuelan people.”Foreign Minister Penny Wong reiterated the call for “dialogue and diplomacy to ensure regional stability and prevent escalation,” while confirming Australia was “engaging with international partners” to monitor developments.Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney emphasised that Canada has not recognised Maduro’s regime since it “stole” the election in 2018 and stressed support for “a negotiated, Venezuelan-led transition, anchored in the sovereign right of the people to decide their own future,” making clear Canada would not support unilateral action.Foreign Minister Anita Anand noted that since 2019, Canada has “refused to recognise any legitimacy of the Maduro regime and opposed its repression of the Venezuelan people.” While standing “by the people of Venezuela and their desire to live in a peaceful and democratic society,” Anand called on “all parties to exercise restraint and uphold international law.”Russia condemns ‘armed aggression’Russia issued one of the strongest international condemnations, with the Foreign Ministry releasing a statement denouncing “an act of armed aggression against Venezuela.”“This development is extremely concerning and deserving of condemnation,” the Russian Foreign Ministry stated, characterising US justifications as having “no factual basis” and accusing Washington of allowing “ideological hostility” to prevail over “pragmatic, businesslike approaches.”Moscow called for urgent de-escalation and dialogue, insisting that “Latin America must continue to remain a zone of peace, as it proclaimed itself in 2014, while Venezuela must be guaranteed the right to determine its own future without destructive external interference, particularly of a military nature.”The statement reaffirmed Russian solidarity with “the Venezuelan people” and support for “the policy pursued by the Bolivarian leadership to safeguard the country’s national interests and sovereignty.” Russia, a permanent member, backed calls for an urgent UN Security Council meeting.China condemns ‘hegemonic acts’China broke its initial silence to issue a strong condemnation of the U.S. operation, with the foreign ministry spokesperson declaring Beijing was “deeply shocked by and strongly condemns the U.S.’s blatant use of force against a sovereign state and action against its president”.“Such hegemonic acts of the U.S. seriously violate international law and Venezuela’s sovereignty, and threaten peace and security in Latin America and the Caribbean region. China firmly opposes it,” the ministry stated on X.The statement called on Washington to “abide by international law and the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and stop violating other countries’ sovereignty and security”.China’s condemnation came hours after the initial operation, during which Beijing remained silent despite its close economic and strategic ties to Venezuela. Just two days before the operation, on January 1, the U.S. Treasury Department had sanctioned four companies based in Hong Kong and mainland China, along with related oil tankers, for links to Venezuela’s oil industry.Two weeks earlier, on December 18, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi had spoken with Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil, reaffirming Beijing’s support and opposing “unilateral bullying.” In that call, Wang had told Gil that “China opposes all forms of unilateral bullying and supports countries in safeguarding their sovereignty and national dignity,” according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry.The earlier conversation had come amid rising U.S. pressure on Venezuela, with then President Trump having announced plans for a total blockade of sanctioned oil tankers.Iran strongly condemns operationA close Venezuelan ally, Iran issued a statement strongly condemning the US military attack on Venezuela, describing it as “a flagrant violation of the national sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country.”The statement characterised the attack as “a clear breach of the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter and basic rules of international law, particularly Article 2, paragraph 4 of the Charter, which prohibits the use of force.”Iran’s Foreign Ministry called the US action “a complete example of ‘aggressive action’ that must be immediately and explicitly condemned by the UN and by all states concerned with upholding the rule of law, peace, and international security.”The ministry emphasised that “the US military intervention against an independent UN member state represents a serious violation of regional and international peace and security, with repercussions for the entire international system.”South Africa condemns US action as ‘manifest violation’ of UN CharterSouth Africa, one of the leaders in the Global South and a key voice in the African Union, sharply criticised the United States military operation in Venezuela, accusing Washington of violating the United Nations Charter.South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation said Pretoria viewed the strikes and capture of President Nicolás Maduro as a “manifest violation of the Charter of the United Nations”, which requires member states to refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state.The statement said the Charter did not authorise “external military intervention in matters that are essentially within the domestic jurisdiction of a sovereign nation”, and warned that unlawful unilateral force “undermines the stability of the international order and the principle of equality among nations.” South Africa called on the UN Security Council to convene urgently to address the situation.India issues most muted BRICS responseIndia issued a carefully worded statement on January 4 expressing “deep concern” but conspicuously avoided naming the United States or condemning the military operation – making it the most subdued reaction among BRICS nations.“Recent developments in Venezuela are a matter of deep concern,” the Ministry of External Affairs stated, calling on “all concerned to address issues peacefully through dialogue”The statement notably lacked explicit references to territorial integrity and the UN Charter that India traditionally invokes and even used in its Ukraine war response. The muted tone appears calculated to avoid antagonising the Trump administration as New Delhi grapples with high US tariffs and seeks a bilateral trade deal.African Union expresses ‘Grave Concern’The African Union issued a communiqué on January 3 expressing grave concern over developments in Venezuela, including the capture of President Maduro and military attacks on Venezuelan institutions. The continental body reaffirmed its commitment to “the fundamental principles of international law, including respect for the sovereignty of states, their territorial integrity, and the right of peoples to self-determination.”The AU emphasised that Venezuela’s internal challenges “can only be sustainably addressed through inclusive political dialogue among Venezuelans themselves,” and called on all parties to “exercise restraint, responsibility, and respect for international law to prevent any escalation.”The African Union’s response was notably more measured than some individual African nations like South Africa, focusing on dialogue and restraint while avoiding explicit condemnation of the US operation.Asian nations navigate cautious responseSeveral Asian countries issued statements on the Venezuela crisis, with responses ranging from strong condemnation to carefully worded calls for restraint.Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim issued one of the strongest condemnations, describing the US operation as “a clear violation of international law” that “amounts to an unlawful use of force against a sovereign state.” Anwar demanded that “President Maduro and his wife must be released without any undue delay,” warning that “the forcible removal of a sitting head of government through external action sets a dangerous precedent.”Singapore expressed being “gravely concerned,” emphasising its commitment to “international law and the principles of the UN Charter that safeguard the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states, especially small states.” The Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that “Singapore has consistently opposed actions contrary to international law by any parties, including foreign military intervention in any country.”Indonesia warned that “any use or threat of force could set a dangerous precedent in international relations and undermine regional stability,” emphasising that “the international community respects the right and the will of the people of Venezuela to exercise their sovereignty.”Turkey, in an early statement on January 3, urged “all parties to exercise restraint in order to prevent the current situation from leading to adverse consequences for regional and international security,” offering to “provide any constructive contribution towards resolving the crisis in Venezuela within the framework of international law.”Pakistan called for “restraint and de-escalation,” underscoring “the need for adherence to the principles of the United Nations Charter and international law to resolve all outstanding issues.”Thailand appealed for a peaceful resolution “with full respect for the UN Charter and international law,” urging all sides to exercise the utmost restraint while prioritising civilian protection and respecting the will of the Venezuelan people.One of US’ long-standing partner in Asia, the Philippines urged “concerned parties to resolve disputes through peaceful means, and to exercise restraint to prevent escalation of conflict.”Japan, a US treaty ally, adopted a cautious posture. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi avoided any direct criticism of the US operation, only stating that “Japan has consistently respected fundamental values and principles such as freedom, democracy and the rule of law.” Takaichi did not mention Trump or the military strikes.Gulf states offer mediation, others stay silentTwo Gulf states issued cautious statements calling for dialogue and restraint, while major US-aligned Gulf powers remained notably silent on the controversial US military operation.Qatar, on January 3, expressed “deep concern over the current developments” in Venezuela, calling for restraint and dialogue while reaffirming commitment to the UN Charter and international law. Notably, Qatar signalled its willingness to play a mediating role, stating its “full readiness to contribute to any international effort aimed at achieving an immediate peaceful solution.”Oman issued a similar statement on January 4, affirming “full support for international law and respect for the sovereignty and independence of states” and calling on all parties to “exercise restraint and enable dialogue to prevent escalation.”However, several major Gulf states – including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait – have remained silent on the Venezuela crisis, issuing no public statements despite the operation’s geopolitical significance.The muted reaction may reflect the Gulf states’ appraisal about Venezuela’s alignment with Iran. According to analysis by Semafor, Venezuela’s focus in recent years has been at odds with Gulf desires to contain Iran and its proxies, and the region will likely welcome a more US-oriented Venezuela.This report was updated on January 6, 2026 at 11:46 am and will be updated as more reactions emerge.