Global Powers Divided as US Military Operation Captures Venezuelan President Maduro

The international community has responded with sharply divided reactions following a large-scale US military operation in Venezuela that resulted in the capture and removal of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife from the country on Saturday.

World leaders from Europe, Latin America, Asia, and beyond have issued statements ranging from cautious support to outright condemnation of the unprecedented military action. The operation has reignited debates about sovereignty, international law, and the limits of military intervention in the 21st century.

US President Donald Trump announced that American forces had successfully captured Maduro, who faces drug trafficking charges in New York. Trump stated the US will "run" Venezuela "until we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition."

The military strike represents one of the most significant US interventions in Latin America in decades, fundamentally altering the geopolitical landscape of the Western Hemisphere and drawing immediate international scrutiny.

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

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer offered qualified support for the operation's outcome while carefully avoiding legal judgments. In an interview with BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, he stated his government would "shed no tears" for the end of Maduro's regime.

However, Starmer declined to say whether the military action violated international law. He emphasized he was a "lifelong advocate of international law" and would wait to establish all facts. The UK was not involved in the strikes, and Starmer confirmed he had not spoken with Trump about the operation beforehand.

The European Union's top diplomat, Kaja Kallas reiterated the bloc's position that Maduro lacks legitimacy but emphasized that any transition must respect international law principles. French President Emmanuel Macron called for a transition that is "peaceful, democratic, and respectful of the will of the Venezuelan people."

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz described the legality of the operation as "complex" while warning that "political instability must not be allowed to arise in Venezuela."

Neighboring Latin American countries issued some of the strongest rebukes of the US action, viewing it as a violation of regional sovereignty principles.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva wrote on X that the actions "cross an unacceptable line," warning 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 characterized the strikes as an "assault on the sovereignty" of Latin America. Chilean President Gabriel Boric expressed "concern and condemnation" while calling for a peaceful resolution.

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel accused the US of a "criminal attack." Trump has suggested Cuba could be next, calling it a failing nation, while US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that Cuba's government in Havana "should be concerned" for supporting Maduro's administration.

Uruguay issued an official statement rejecting military intervention, as it "always has," while monitoring developments with "attention and serious concern."

A notable exception came from Argentinian President Javier Milei—whom Trump has called his "favorite president"—who posted "freedom moves forward" and "long live freedom" on social media.

Russia accused the United States of committing "an act of armed aggression" against a sovereign nation. China stated it was "deeply shocked and strongly condemns" the use of force against Venezuela and its president.

Iran, currently locked in its own dispute with Trump over threatened US intervention, called the strikes a "flagrant violation of the country's national sovereignty."

These responses reflect deeper geopolitical fault lines, with traditional US adversaries viewing the Venezuela operation as setting a dangerous precedent for military intervention.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed deep concern that "the rules of international law have not been respected," according to his spokesperson. He was "deeply alarmed" by strikes that set a "dangerous precedent."

Norway's Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide stated plainly: "International law is universal and binding for all states. The American intervention in Venezuela is not in accordance with international law."

Canada's Foreign Minister Anita Anand called on all parties to respect international law while expressing solidarity with Venezuelan people's desire for peace and democracy.

Even within the United States, the operation faces criticism. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat, stated: "Let me be clear, Maduro is an illegitimate dictator, but launching military action without congressional authorization, without a federal plan for what comes next, is reckless."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a staunch US ally, congratulated Trump on his "bold and historic leadership on behalf of freedom and justice."

While geographically distant, the Venezuela situation carries significance for Ghana and the broader African continent on multiple levels.

The international community's response—or lack thereof—to unilateral military intervention sets precedents that could affect how sovereignty violations are addressed globally, including in Africa where territorial integrity remains a sensitive issue.

Venezuela's oil production has historically influenced global energy markets. Political instability or US control of Venezuelan oil resources could affect petroleum prices, directly impacting Ghana's economy as both an oil producer and consumer of refined products.

The divided international response also reflects the multipolar nature of contemporary geopolitics, with traditional Western allies showing varying degrees of support. For African nations like Ghana that maintain relationships across different power blocs, navigating such divisions requires careful diplomatic balancing.

Trump has indicated the US will temporarily govern Venezuela during a transition period, though details remain unclear about the timeline, governance structure, or eventual handover plans.

The international legal questions surrounding the operation will likely be debated in forums including the UN Security Council, though US veto power limits potential formal condemnation.

Opposition leader Edmundo González, the 2024 presidential candidate, has been mentioned by some international leaders as a potential transitional figure, though his role remains undefined.

The coming weeks will reveal whether international pressure can influence US policy, how regional Latin American organizations respond, and whether this operation truly represents, as some fear, a shift toward more aggressive intervention policies that could reshape international relations for years to come.