Global Leaders React to U.S. Operation in Venezuela
U.S. President Donald Trump announced early Saturday morning that the United States had launched airstrikes in Venezuela and captured the country’s president, Nicolás Maduro. The operation culminates a monthslong U.S. military campaign aimed at regime change in Caracas.
In a news conference on Saturday, Trump refused to rule out the deployment of U.S. troops to Venezuela, claimed effective control over the country’s government and oil deposits, and issued similar warnings against Colombia, Cuba, and Mexico.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced early Saturday morning that the United States had launched airstrikes in Venezuela and captured the country’s president, Nicolás Maduro. The operation culminates a monthslong U.S. military campaign aimed at regime change in Caracas.
In a news conference on Saturday, Trump refused to rule out the deployment of U.S. troops to Venezuela, claimed effective control over the country’s government and oil deposits, and issued similar warnings against Colombia, Cuba, and Mexico.
Foreign leaders struck a mixed tone in the aftermath, with some praising the U.S. operation and expressing support for democracy in Venezuela and others calling the attack a violation of international law and Venezuelan sovereignty.
In Venezuela, Maduro’s second-in-command demanded the president’s immediate release, while opposition leaders heralded U.S. involvement. Latin American leaders were similarly split: Trump allies commended the swift U.S. action, and those already opposed to the U.S. pressure campaign in the region reiterated their condemnation.
Leaders elsewhere have begun to weigh in on Venezuela’s future. Some powers have called for an emergency session of the United Nations Security Council as well as the installment of Edmundo González, who independent vote monitors say rightfully won Venezuela’s disputed 2024 presidential election, to lead a transitional government instead of U.S. forces.
Below, we’ve tracked how the world is responding to the U.S. operation—within Venezuela, in Latin America, and beyond.
Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, next in the line of succession, called on the White House to provide © Foreign Policy
