Name: World reacts to US bombing of Venezuela and capture of Maduro
Uploaded: 2026-01-04T06:34:58.872Z
Duration: 2 min 56 s
Description: World leaders have responded with a mixture of condemnation and caution after US President Donald Trump captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, and declared the US would seize control of the South American nation.

World leaders have responded with a mixture of condemnation and caution after US President Donald Trump captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, and declared the US would seize control of the South American nation.

Caracas

The seizure of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has led to a wave of responses worldwide. Venezuelans in Colombia celebrated the news, while leaders from Latin America, Cuba, China, and Russia condemned the action, calling it terrorism and armed aggression. European leaders responded cautiously, with the UK reiterating its stance that Maduro was an illegitimate president but urging adherence to international law.

The event has triggered protests in major cities across Europe and warnings from some leaders about the potential global consequences if the United States is not held accountable. The Australian government advised its citizens to avoid travel to Venezuela, while authorities prepared for possible unrest. The situation is widely seen as having implications that extend beyond Venezuela itself.

World reacts to US bombing of Venezuela and capture of Maduro

In Colombia there was dancing, cheers and tears as Venezuelans living there celebrated the capture of a long-serving autocratic president. From jubilation to condemnation. Peace will not come with the United States' killer bombs, this protester said. Latin American leaders also responding with anger. Cuba condemns and denounces these actions as an act of terrorism, its president said. With Donald Trump vowing to take control of Venezuela, neighbouring nations are bolstering their border defences. While Maduro's global allies, including China, a Meiji importer of its oil, predictably joined the chorus of criticism. This meeting with the Chinese special envoy on Friday would be Maduro's last public appearance. Russia also speaking out against the act of armed aggression. European leaders, including Britain's Prime Minister, quick to respond too. Though was more cautious to criticise Donald Trump and the United States. We should all uphold international law, but I think at this stage, fast moving situation, let's establish the facts and take it from there. Later stating, we regarded Maduro as an illegitimate president and we shed no tears about the end of his regime. Ukraine's President Zelensky even hinting at the possibility of abducting other leaders. If you can do that with dictators, then the United States knows what to do next, he said. A remark widely seen as a reference to Vladimir Putin. Others say it's no laughing matter. There's been destruction, there is great fear without any basis, justification in the law. Warning that if the US isn't held to account, there could be global consequences. That will embolden tyrants and dictators around the world and take us on a dystopian and dangerous path. The Greens calling on the Australian government to act. But the only word from the Prime Minister was urging all parties to support dialogue and diplomacy in order to secure regional stability and prevent escalation. In the meantime, the advice for Australians remains not to travel to Venezuela or border regions. Those already there urge to leave as soon as it's safe to do so. While authorities here prepare for scenes like these. Protests popping up in cities from Paris to Barcelona, Athens, Rome and London. It's clear this is about far more than one country or one president. Tallulah Thompson, 10 News.

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The United Nations, along with a host of countries including France, China and Russia have criticized U.S strikes on Venezuela and capture of Nicolás Maduro as a violation of international law.

World reacts to U.S. strikes on Venezuela, capture of Nicolás Maduro

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