International reactions poured in after US President Donald Trump claimed that American forces carried out a “large-scale strike” inside Venezuela and captured President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, escalating fears of a wider regional crisis.
In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump said the United States had launched a major military operation against Venezuela “in conjunction with US law enforcement.”
He claimed that President Nicolás Maduro and his wife were “captured and flown out of the country,” though no independent confirmation has been issued by either US or Venezuelan authorities.
US media outlets, including Fox News and CBS News, reported that American forces carried out strikes inside Venezuela early on Saturday, marking a dramatic escalation that many Venezuelans had feared for weeks.
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The reports came amid heightened US military activity in the region and repeated warnings from Caracas of an imminent attack.
In an initial statement, Venezuela’s government accused Washington of carrying out an “extremely serious military aggression” against the country.
“Venezuela rejects, repudiates, and denounces before the international community the extremely serious military aggression perpetrated by the current government of the United States of America against Venezuelan territory and people,” the statement said.
Colombia calls for peace
Colombian President Gustavo Petro reacted strongly, warning of the consequences of military escalation in the region.
“Alerting the whole world that they have attacked Venezuela,” Petro wrote on X, adding that peace, respect for international law, and the protection of human dignity must prevail over armed confrontation.
Cuba issues sharp condemnation
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez accused Washington of carrying out a “criminal attack” against Venezuela and called for an urgent international response.
In a post on X, he said the region’s so-called “zone of peace” was being “brutally assaulted,” describing the US action as “state terrorism” against both Venezuela and “Our America.” He concluded with the slogan: “Homeland or Death, We Shall Overcome.”
Cuba later issued formal statements through its embassies worldwide, denouncing the US military action and urging the international community to respond urgently.
Iran condemns violation of sovereignty
Iran’s foreign ministry also reacted, strongly condemning what it called the US military attack on Venezuela.
The ministry said the operation amounted to a “flagrant violation” of Venezuela’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
