'Condemnable, criminal attack': How the world is reacting to US strikes and capture of Maduro

On Saturday (January 3), the United States President Donald Trump announced that military forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife in a Truth Social post. The message came hours after massive explosions rattled the nation’s capital, Caracas, following which a national emergency was declared.  

“The United States of America has successfully carried out a large-scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the country,” said Trump. The American leader added, “This operation was done in conjunction with US Law Enforcement. Details to follow. There will be a news conference today at 11 am, at Mar-a-Lago."

However, Venezuela’s Vice President Delcy Rodríguez asserted on state television that the country is demanding proof of life for President Maduro and his wife after Trump’s “captured” claim. Rodríguez also said the government is currently unaware of their precise location.

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A US official told Reuters that Maduro was captured by elite special forces troops. Republican US Senator Mike Lee said US Secretary of State Marco Rubio informed him that the Venezuelan president would stand trial on criminal charges in the United States, according to Reuters.  

As the standoff escalates further, the world reacts to the US strikes in Venezuela and the capture of its leader. But first, let’s take you through what happened at the wee hours of Saturday when an explosion rocked Caracas.

What happened?

Tension between the US and Venezuela reached a boiling point on Saturday after the US launched an operation. At least seven explosions shook the streets, and sounds of low-flying aircraft were heard in the capital, Caracas and several other areas.  

According to a statement by the Venezuelan government, the attacks occurred in several states, including Miranda, Aragua and La Guaira. Videos circulating on social media have captured the deadly blasts that rocked the city. A 21-year-old office worker, Carmen Hidalgo, told Associated Press (AP), “The whole ground shook. This is horrible. We heard explosions and planes in the distance. We felt like the air was hitting us."

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Following the incident, President Nicolas Maduro declared a national emergency and called on social and political forces to “activate mobilisation plans.”

The United States president claimed that American forces captured Nicolas Maduro, the Venezuelan president and his wife after a large-scale airstrike. In a Truth Social post, Trump said, “US forces have successfully carried out a large-scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the Country. This operation was done in conjunction with US Law Enforcement. Details to follow.” Trump hinted that there will be a news conference at Mar-a-Lago regarding the same.  

BBC reports, citing eyewitnesses, that La Carlota, a military airfield in the centre of the city, and the main army base of Fuerte Tiuna were affected by the strike.

As the dramatic escalation unfolds, countries are also reacting to the developments.  

World on US bombing of Venezuela, ‘capture’ of Maduro

Russia

Condemning the US strike as an “act of armed aggression,” Russia’s foreign ministry said, “This morning, the United States committed an act of armed aggression against Venezuela. This is deeply concerning and condemnable."

“In the current situation, it is important, first and foremost, to prevent further escalation and to focus on finding a way out of the situation through dialogue,” the ministry said in a statement.  

“‍We ⁠reaffirm ​our ‍solidarity with ‍the Venezuelan ⁠people and our ​support for the leadership’s ‌policy ⁠of defending the ‌country’s national ‍interests and ‌sovereignty, ” the ministry added.

“Venezuela ⁠must ​be ‍guaranteed ‍the ⁠right to ​determine ‌its ‌own ‌destiny ⁠without any destructive, ‌military intervention ‍from ‌outside,” it added.

Iran

Iran’s foreign ministry, in a statement, said it “strongly condemns the American military attack on Venezuela and the flagrant violation of the national sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country.”

UK

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer also reacted to the Donald Trump administration’s military action against Venezuela, saying, “The United Kingdom was not involved in any way in this operation.”

Starmer added, “I want to establish the facts first. I want to speak to President Trump. I want to speak to allies. I can be absolutely clear that we were not involved … and I always say and believe we should all uphold international law.”

Spain

The Spanish foreign ministry has called for a “de-escalation and moderation” between the US and Venezuela. The ministry added in a statement, “In this regard, Spain is willing to offer its good offices to achieve a peaceful and negotiated solution to the current crisis."

Cuba

In a sharply worded condemnation, Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez accused the US of carrying out a “criminal attack” against Venezuela and calling for an urgent international response.

“Cuba denounces and urgently demands the reaction of the international community against the criminal attack by the US on Venezuela. Our ZonaDePaz is being brutally assaulted. State terrorism against the brave Venezuelan people and against our America,” said Diaz-Canel on X.

#Cuba denuncia y demanda URGENTE reacción de la comunidad internacional contra criminal ataque de E.U a #Venezuela. Nuestra #ZonaDePaz está siendo brutalmente asaltada. Terrorismo de Estado contra el bravo pueblo venezolano y contra Nuestra América.

Patria o Muerte ¡Venceremos!

— Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez (@DiazCanelB) January 3, 2026

He concluded the statement with a revolutionary slogan: “Homeland or Death, We Shall Overcome.”

Colombia

Colombian President Gustavo Petro expressed concern over the US’ move to strike Venezuela, saying, “The Government of the Republic of Colombia observes with deep concern the reports of explosions and unusual aerial activity recorded in recent hours in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, as well as the consequent escalation of tension in the region."

El Gobierno de la República de Colombia observa con profunda preocupación los reportes sobre explosiones y actividad aérea inusual registrados en las últimas horas en la República Bolivariana de Venezuela, así como la consecuente escalada de tensión en la región.

Colombia…

— Gustavo Petro (@petrogustavo) January 3, 2026

He added, “The Republic of Colombia reiterates its conviction that peace, respect for international law, and the protection of life and human dignity must prevail over any form of armed confrontation."  

Indonesia

“Indonesia also calls on all relevant parties to prioritise peaceful resolution through de-escalation and dialogue, while prioritising the protection of civilians,” said Indonesia’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, Yvonne Mewengkang.

Trinidad and Tobago

Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar asserted, “Trinidad and Tobago is NOT a participant in any of these ongoing military operations. Trinidad and Tobago continues to maintain peaceful relations with the people of Venezuela."

Argentina

Argentina’s President, Javier Milei, was enthused about the news of Maduro’s capture.  The Argentine president shared on social media a message attributed to US President Donald Trump, which stated that “the dictator Maduro was captured and taken out of Venezuela”.

Alongside that post, Milei wrote a brief but forceful message, true to his political style: “Freedom is advancing. Long live freedom, damn it.”

With inputs from agencies