Nicolás Maduro is expected to make an initial appearance in Manhattan federal court on Monday, according to officials

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Here is a round up of how world leaders have reacted to the US’s bombardment of Venezuela and the capture of its president, Nicolás Maduro, and his wife, Cilia Flores, in a military operation condemned by Democrats on Capitol Hill as the most dangerous example of US imperialism since the disastrous invasion of Iraq in 2003. The reaction has been mixed:

China said the US should immediately release Maduro and his wife and resolve the situation in Venezuela through negotiation. The country’s foreign ministry said their deportation violated international law and norms.

Russia demanded for the US to “reconsider its position and release the legally elected president of the sovereign country and his wife”.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said the US bombing and capture attack crossed “an unacceptable line” and represented “a grave affront to Venezuela’s sovereignty and yet another extremely dangerous precedent for the entire international community.”

Philippines urged “concerned parties” to avoid actions that could further escalate tensions, with the country’s foreign affairs spokesperson quoted as having said Manila is closely monitoring the “evolving” situation in Venezuela.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro - whose country neighbours Venezuela - called the US action an “assault on the sovereignty” of Latin America which would lead to a humanitarian crisis.

Mexico, which Donald Trump has also threatened with military force over drug trafficking, said the US military operation “seriously jeopardises regional stability”.

Cuba, a strong ally of Venezuela, denounced “state terrorism against the brave Venezuelan people”.

Spanish prime minister Pedro Sánchez said the intervention “violates international law and pushes the region toward a horizon of uncertainty and militarism”.

German chancellor Friedrich Merz said that Maduro had “led his country to ruin”, but called the US action legally “complex”.

Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni - a Trump ally - argued the US military action in Venezuela was “legitimate” and “defensive”.

France said the US operation undermined international law. The country’s president, Emmanuel Macron, called for 2004 presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia to lead a political transition.

The UK prime minister Keir Starmer said: “We regarded Maduro as an illegitimate President and we shed no tears about the end of his regime. I reiterated my support for international law this morning.”

Argentinian President and Trump ally Javier Milei said “we celebrate the fall of the narco-terrorist dictator Maduro” and has offered his country’s assistance in helping Venezuela’s transition to a new government.

Source: Guardian - World News