People demonstrate to oppose U.S. actions in Venezuela, after U.S. President Donald Trump said the U.S. has struck Venezuela and captured its President Nicolas Maduro, in Paris, France, January 3, 2026. REUTERS/Abdul Saboor
(New York, NY) – President Donald Trump confirmed Saturday morning that US forces have captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife following strikes on the capital city of Caracas. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres claimed the operation “constitute[s] a dangerous precedent”. The German Foreign ministry urged both parties to avoid further escalation. The Chinese Foreign Ministry condemned the use of force in removing Maduro. France also condemned the move stating “no lasting political solution can be imposed from the outside and that only sovereign people themselves can decide their future”. Russia also echoed the same sentiments claiming the operation was an act of armed aggression.
Not everyone was critical, however. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu applauded the move saying that he salutes the “decisive resolve and the brilliant action of your brave soldiers.” Argentina’s President Javier Milei said it was “excellent news for the free world” that there will be a regime change in the South American country. Over in another Latin American country, Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa celebrated the move, saying “The time is coming for all the narco-Chavista criminals.” Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Carina Machado also supporting the operation. Trump in a news conference said the US government will be taking over control of the country and is unable to hand power to Machado since the people of Venezuela do not respect her, according to President Trump.
