The international community, on Saturday, condemned the abduction of Venezuelan President, Nicolas Maduro, by United State forces.
The European Union, for example, urged restraint and respect for international law.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the bloc had “repeatedly stated that Mr. Maduro lacks legitimacy” but stressed that “under all circumstances, the principles of international law and the UN Charter must be respected. We call for restraint.”
European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, said the EU stood by the Venezuelan people and supported “a peaceful and democratic transition”, while European Council President, Antonio Costa, called for de-escalation.
Spain offered to mediate in the crisis. Its foreign ministry said Madrid called for “de-escalation and restraint” and stood ready to help in the search for “a democratic, negotiated, and peaceful solution”.
Chile’s President Gabriel Boric condemned the US action, saying his government expressed “concern and condemnation of the military actions by the United States taking place in Venezuela” and called for a peaceful resolution in line with international law.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva described the US strikes and Maduro’s capture as a “serious affront” to Venezuelan sovereignty, saying they crossed “an unacceptable line” and threatened regional peace. He urged the United Nations to respond “vigorously”.
Russia, a close ally of Caracas, condemned what it described as US “armed aggression” and demanded “immediate clarification” about Maduro’s fate.
“We are extremely alarmed by reports that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife were forcibly removed from the country,” the Russian foreign ministry said.
Turkey also called on all sides to act with restraint to prevent wider regional and international consequences.
China urged its citizens in Venezuela to avoid travelling and to stay away from sensitive areas, advising those already in the country to strengthen safety precautions.
In the United Kingdom, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said all countries should “uphold international law” and stressed that Britain “was not involved in any way in this operation”. He said the situation was “fast-moving” and that the government’s priority was the safety of around 500 British nationals in Venezuela. The Foreign Office updated its travel advice to warn against all travel to the country.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro said he had ordered the deployment of security forces to the Venezuelan border, describing the US action as an “assault on the sovereignty” of Latin America and warning of a potential humanitarian crisis.
No independent confirmation has yet been provided of Maduro’s location or condition. Trump said he would address the situation further at a news conference later on Saturday.