Reactions to the U.S. Operation in Venezuela, from Latin America and Beyond

The most prominent member of Venezuela’s opposition, Nobel Prize Winner María Corina Machado, who ran on a ticket with Edmundo González in the 2024 election, celebrated the action. Machado said, “The United States government has fulfilled its promise to enforce the law.” On January 5, she said, “We Venezuelans thank President Donald Trump and his administration for their firmness and determination in upholding the law. Venezuela will be the main ally of the United States in matters of security, energy, democracy, and human rights.”

The removal of Maduro was also celebrated by several countries in the region, including by governments that have aligned themselves with the Trump administration. President Javier Milei of Argentina “celebrated” the capture of Maduro, calling it “a decisive step forward” against narco-terrorism and oppression and said it could “open a new chapter” for rule of law, human rights, and democracy. El Salvador’s President, Nayib Bukele, posted a photo of a captured Maduro and criticized a U.S. senator who questioned the legality of the operation. 

Ecuador, led by President Daniel Noboa, also voiced support, saying it “values actions that allow the Venezuelan population to recover democratic institutions and rule of law.” Noboa stated his support for combating “narco chavistas” and organized crime in the region, while engaging in a pointed back-and-forth with ex-President Rafael Correa, who condemned Noboa’s posture. 

Santiago Peña, president of Paraguay, said of Maduro, “His downfall can only be good news.” He called for the prioritization of democratic avenues in the succeeding days.

Venezuela’s eastern neighbor, Guyana, celebrated the action with President Irfaan Ali saying, “Guyana supports efforts that uphold democratic norms and ensure that the region remains a Zone of Peace. The Government of Guyana welcomes the leadership of the President of the United States in reaffirming shared commitments to freedom, democracy, and regional security.” Ali announced he was sending troops to Guyana’s border with Venezuela. In Venezuela’s other CARICOM neighbor, Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, a vocal supporter of the increased U.S. military action in the Caribbean, stated on social media that her country “looks forward to renewed cooperation and the strengthening of our longstanding friendship with the people of Venezuela in the coming years” as they transition “from oppression and dictatorship to democracy and prosperity.” 

Latin America’s left-wing and progressive governments aligned in their condemnation of the U.S. action in Venezuela, emphasizing international law.

President Gustavo Petro of Colombia was among the first to react to news of explosions in Venezuela. In the early hours of January 3, Petro stated on social media platform X that “the Colombia government rejects any unilateral military action that could worsen the situation or put the civilian population at risk.” He also announced the deployment of troops to the Colombia–Venezuela border for added security and logistical support in case of increased “humanitarian or migration” needs. Colombia, with the backing of Russia and China, convened an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on January 5 to discuss the ongoing situation in Venezuela. 

Brazil’s President Lula da Silva struck a firm tone, stating that the “bombings on Venezuelan territory and the capture of its president cross an unacceptable line” and could represent “the first step toward a world of violence, chaos, and instability, where the law of the strongest prevails over multilateralism.” Venezuela briefly closed its border with the Brazilian state of Roraima on January 3 and Brazil increased its military presence there as a preventative security measure.

An official statement by the Mexican government centers on principles laid out in the UN Charter and international law. It demands the end of “aggressive acts against the government and people of Venezuela” and warns that “military actions put regional stability at great risk." At a January 5 press conference, President Claudia Sheinbaum added, “The history of Latin America is clear and conclusive: intervention has never brought democracy.” 

Chile’s outgoing President Gabriel Boric held a press conference on January 3 in which he stressed that “respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity are red lines that should not be crossed under any circumstance.” Boric, who also emphasized he was not “supporting or justifying dictatorships,” cautioned, “Today, it’s Venezuela, with the excuse of narcoterrorism and a stated intention to control its resources. Tomorrow, it can be anywhere else, with some other excuse.”

By contrast, Chile’s President-elect José Antonio Kast wrote on X that “the detention of Nicolás Maduro is great news for the region.” The right-wing politician, who assumes office in March, called for “the governments of Latin America to ensure that the entire apparatus of the regime leaves power and is held to account.”

The governments of Brazil, Chile, Colombia and Mexico along with Uruguay and Spain released a joint statement reiterating their rejection of the U.S. action. The statement advocates for “strictly peaceful routes” to resolve the situation, describing Latin America and the Caribbean as a “zone of peace” and calling for “regional unity beyond political differences.” Alluding to Trump’s comments about U.S. control of Venezuela’s oil, the governments also expressed “concern about any intent for governmental control, administration or foreign appropriation of natural or strategic resources,” which they described as “incompatible with international law and a threat to the political, economic, and social stability of the region.”

At a January 3 rally outside the U.S. embassy in Havana, President Miguel Díaz-Canel of Cuba, one of the Maduro regime’s closest regional allies, labelled the U.S. operation “an act of state terrorism.” The Cuban government then informed on January 4 that 32 of its military personnel had been killed in the bombings. 

“We condemn this barbarity,” said outgoing Honduran President Xiomara Castro, who spoke out against the U.S. operation and connected it to Trump’s endorsement of a candidate in the country's recent elections.

Several countries struck more cautious tones, either not commenting on the U.S. operation or indirectly questioning its legality but focusing more on the need for a democratic transition.

Leaders who refrained from mentioning the U.S. operation include Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz, who said on X, “Bolivia reaffirms that the way out for Venezuela is to respect the vote, which represents the true popular will.” Noting his government was “closely following events in Venezuelan,” Dominican President Luis Abinader noted his country “will always stand on the side of democracy.” Panama’s President José Raúl Mulino said, “my government reiterates our position in favor of the democratic process.”

Edmundo Gonzaléz, who won the most votes in Venezuela’s 2024 election against Maduro, released a video where he said of the preceding several days, “It is natural that there are mixed feelings. We understand and respect them.” While not commenting on the U.S. operation, he said, “As established in Article Five of the Constitution, our legitimacy stems from the popular mandate and the clear support of millions of Venezuelans who yearn for a country with peace, strong institutions, and a promising future.”

Other countries hinted at their questioning of the legality of the U.S. actions but affirmed their support for a democratic transition. Guatemala, led by President Bernardo Arévalo, released a statement saying, “The Venezuelan people now have the opportunity to rebuild their democratic institutions, and the international community has the commitment to support their efforts, within the framework of international law and best practices, and Venezuelan constitutional legislation.”

Similarly, the Foreign Ministry of Peru began their statement by reaffirming their commitment to the principles of international law and the UN Charter. They continued by calling for "a swift resolution to the political situation in Venezuela” that respects international law, human rights, and democratic will. Canada’s Foreign Minister noted, “In keeping with our long-standing commitment to upholding the rule of law and democracy, Canada calls on all parties to respect international law and we stand by the people of Venezuela and their desire to live in a peaceful and democratic society.” 

The UN Security Council, at the request of Colombia, held an emergency meeting on January 5 to U.S. operation in Venezuela and its fallout. At the meeting, U.S. Representative Mike Waltz asserted that “there is no war against Venezuela or its people,” characterizing the act as a “surgical law enforcement operation” to arrest two alleged “narcoterrorists.” Venezuela’s Ambassador to the UN Samuel Moncada denounced an “illegitimate armed attack” by the United States and “kidnapping” of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, which he said threaten to undermine “the credibility of international law and the authority of” the United Nations.

Representatives from China and Russia, who supported Colombia’s request for the meeting, condemned what they called unilateral U.S. aggression against Venezuela’s sovereignty. China’s representative said, “No country can act as the world’s police,” adding that Latin American countries are the ones responsible for maintaining the region as a zone of peace. In its comments, Russia accused the Security Council of double standards and repeated the Venezuelan ambassador’s demand for the release of Maduro and his wife.

Hours after the U.S. military action on January 3, UN Secretary General António Guterres issued a brief statement that described the U.S. military action as setting “a dangerous precedent” and called for “all actors in Venezuela to engage in inclusive dialogue.” 

This sentiment was echoed in a statement by Secretary General Albert Ramdin of the Organization of American States (OAS). Noting “differing perspectives across the hemisphere,” the secretary general said the OAS’ priority is “to help prevent further escalation and to support a peaceful way forward” and emphasized that the path forward must be based on the will of the Venezuelan people and the country’s constitution. 

In Europe, leaders restated their opposition to the Maduro regime and expressed concern about the operation at the same time. France’s President Emmanuel Macron championed a democratic transition led by Edmundo Gonzalez and the release of political prisoners. Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s statement said “the Government believes that external military action is not the way to end totalitarian regimes, but at the same time considers defensive intervention against hybrid attacks to its security to be legitimate, as in the case of state entities that fuel and promote drug trafficking." 

Switzerland announced on January 5 an immediate freeze of "Swiss-based assets” belonging to Maduro “and other persons associated with him,” but excluded members of the incumbent administration. The freeze prevents assets being withdrawn from Switzerland for four years. The statement adds that should any legal investigations reveal illegal origins of the assets, “Switzerland will endeavor to use them for the benefit of the Venezuelan people.” 

A joint statement by the 26 member countries of the European Union (EU) called for “calm and restraint by all actors” and respect for international law. It however highlighted the organization's longstanding rejection of Maduro’s claim to the presidency and added that the “EU shares the priority of combating transnational organized crime and drug trafficking, which pose a significant security threat worldwide.” 

The statement also mentions that member states “are in close contact with the United States, as well as regional and international partners, to support ... a negotiated, democratic, inclusive and peaceful solution to the crisis, led by Venezuelans.” Pope Leo XIV, the first U.S. citizen to lead the global Catholic Church, said during Sunday prayers in Vatican City that “the good of the beloved Venezuelan people must prevail over every other consideration” while calling for an end to violence.