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yesterday

U.S. Strikes Venezuela as Washington Claims Maduro Capture, Global Backlash Mounts

International responses center on condemnation, legal concerns and calls for urgent UN Security Council action.

The sun rises, after US President Donald Trump said the U.S. has struck Venezuela and captured its President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas, Venezuela January 3, 2026. REUTERS/Gaby Oraa
Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez makes an official statement on Venezuela, at La Moncloa palace in Madrid on February 4, 2019. - Spain today became the latest nation to recognise Venezuela's opposition chief Juan Guaido as interim leader after President Nicolas Maduro defiantly rejected an ultimatum by European countries to call snap elections. (Photo by PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU / AFP) (Photo credit should read PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU/AFP via Getty Images)
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Supporters of ousted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro embrace in downtown Caracas. (AP PHOTO)

Overview

  • Venezuelan authorities declared a state of emergency and reported strikes on civilian and military sites in Caracas, power outages and explosions at locations including the parliament area, El Attillo airport and several bases.
  • President Trump said Nicolás Maduro and his wife were captured and removed from the country, a claim Venezuela disputes and that has not been independently verified.
  • Russia condemned the operation as an 'act of armed aggression' and backed an urgent UN Security Council meeting while saying its embassy in Caracas is operating normally in constant contact with Venezuelan authorities.
  • The European Union said it is closely monitoring events, reiterated its view that Maduro lacks legitimacy and urged restraint and protection of EU citizens in line with international law.
  • Spain, Indonesia and Belgium urged de-escalation and adherence to the UN Charter, and figures in Europe and the UK questioned the operation’s legality, with legal experts saying the justifications cited do not meet thresholds for the use of force.