The United States has announced sweeping criminal charges against Venezuela’s ousted president Nicolás Maduro and his wife, triggering sharp international reactions and calls for restraint from European leaders.

US Attorney General Pamela Bondi said Maduro and his wife were indicted in New York and will be tried in US courts. She stated that the Venezuelan president is accused of drug terrorism, cocaine trafficking, and possession of dangerous weapons.

Bondi added that Maduro will “soon face American justice,” underscoring Washington’s intent to pursue the case aggressively.

Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, have been indicted in the Southern District of New York. Nicolas Maduro has been charged with Narco-Terrorism Conspiracy, Cocaine Importation Conspiracy, Possession of Machineguns and Destructive Devices, and Conspiracy to Possess…
— Attorney General Pamela Bondi (@AGPamBondi) January 3, 2026

US President Donald Trump said he wants to speak with allies about the Venezuela incident. The statement signals broader diplomatic consultations as the situation unfolds.

China condemns US action

China said it is deeply shocked and strongly condemns the United States’ use of force against the sovereign state of Venezuela and its action against the country’s president.

China is deeply shocked by and strongly condemns the U.S.’s blatant use of force against a sovereign state and action against its president.

Such hegemonic acts of the U.S. seriously violate international law and Venezuela’s sovereignty, and threaten peace and security in Latin… pic.twitter.com/wjfRMhvNKP
— CHINA MFA Spokesperson 中国外交部发言人 (@MFA_China) January 3, 2026

The Chinese Foreign Ministry said the US move constitutes a serious violation of international law and an attack on Venezuela’s sovereignty and independence. It warned that such actions threaten peace and security in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Also Read: ‘Maduro captured’: Trump claims US forces seized Venezuelan leader, wife

China firmly opposes what it described as hegemonic behavior and called on the United States to abide by international law and the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. Beijing also urged Washington to respect Venezuela’s sovereignty and security and to stop interfering in the internal affairs of other countries.

France reacts to US move

France said the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro is a violation of international law.

The French Foreign Ministry stated that removing President Maduro and undermining Venezuela’s independence is wrong. It stressed that only the Venezuelan people have the right to decide the future of their country.

UK distances itself, seeks full clarity

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer reacted by saying all the facts of the US operation in Venezuela need to be known. He stressed that the United Kingdom was not involved in the operation in any way.

Starmer also confirmed that Washington has expressed interest in coordinating discussions with allied governments.

EU urges restraint

The European Union’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas called for restraint on the Venezuela issue. She emphasized that international law and the principles of the UN Charter must be respected.

I have spoken with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and our Ambassador in Caracas. The EU is closely monitoring the situation in Venezuela.

The EU has repeatedly stated that Mr Maduro lacks legitimacy and has defended a peaceful transition. Under all circumstances, the principles…
— Kaja Kallas (@kajakallas) January 3, 2026

Kallas said she does not consider Maduro to be a legitimate president and supports a peaceful change of power in Venezuela. She also noted that the security of European citizens in the country remains a top priority.

Also Read: World reacts as Trump claims Maduro ‘captured’

The EU foreign policy chief confirmed that Marco Rubio had spoken with the European ambassador in Caracas. The discussion focused on the evolving situation and the safety of foreign nationals.

Spain offers mediation, Italy monitors citizens

Spain advised the United States to reduce tensions related to Venezuela. The Spanish Foreign Ministry urged respect for international law and offered mediation to help find a peaceful solution to the Venezuelan crisis.

Italy said it is closely monitoring developments. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni confirmed that authorities are gathering information about Italians in Venezuela, noting that around 160,000 Italian citizens live in the country.

Here is a clear, natural, and professionally improved English version of the statements, suitable for news use:

Brazil reacts strongly

The Brazilian president said that the attack on Venezuelan soil and the arrest of the country’s president are unacceptable. He described the US action as the worst example of interference in Latin American politics.

The Brazilian leader warned that such actions pose a serious threat to peace and stability in the region.

Os bombardeios em território venezuelano e a captura do seu presidente ultrapassam uma linha inaceitável. Esses atos representam uma afronta gravíssima à soberania da Venezuela e mais um precedente extremamente perigoso para toda a comunidade internacional.

Atacar países, em…
— Lula (@LulaOficial) January 3, 2026

Earlier on Saturday, US President Donald Trump claimed that US forces carried out a “large-scale strike” in Venezuela, alleging that President Nicolás Maduro and his wife were captured and flown out of the country, amid explosions and a declared state of emergency in Caracas.

Also Read: Russia condemns US aggression against Venezuela

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the United States had conducted a major military operation against Venezuela “in conjunction with US law enforcement.”

He claimed that President Nicolás Maduro and his wife had been “captured and flown out of the country,” though no independent confirmation has been provided by US or Venezuelan authorities.

Explosions rock Caracas

Earlier, multiple explosions and plumes of smoke were reported in Venezuela’s capital, Caracas. Residents in southern parts of the city, near a major military base, said they heard at least seven blasts and saw low-flying aircraft.

Large areas were left without electricity, triggering panic among residents.

Al Jazeera and Reuters correspondents confirmed loud explosions and visible smoke over the city. Video footage circulating online showed flames and thick smoke rising from a structure near a body of water, reportedly close to the Fortuna military base.