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Multiple countries have reacted to the ongoing situation in Venezuela as US President Donald Trump ordered strikes on sites inside Venezuela and claimed Saturday in a Truth Social post that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife were captured and flown out of Venezuela, according to multiple media reports.
Senator Mike Lee of Utah said on social media that Secretary of State Marco Rubio told him in a phone call that Nicolás Maduro was "arrested by US personnel to stand trial on criminal charges in the United States," according to The New York Times.
Lee said Rubio does not anticipate further action in Venezuela now that Maduro was in custody, according to the report by The New York Times.
According to the Xinhua News Agency, Venezuela's vice president says government does not know whereabouts of Maduro and his wife.
Multiple countries and regions are reacting to the incident.
UN:
The Secretary-General of the UN is deeply alarmed by the recent escalation in Venezuela, culminating with today's United States military action in the country, which has potential worrying implications for the region, according to a statement attributable to the spokesperson for the Secretary-General on Venezuela.
Independently of the situation in Venezuela, these developments constitute a dangerous precedent. The Secretary-General continues to emphasize the importance of full respect - by all - of international law, including the UN Charter. He's deeply concerned that the rules of international law have not been respected, according to the statement.
The Secretary-General calls on all actors in Venezuela to engage in inclusive dialogue, in full respect of human rights and the rule of law.
UK:
The UK was not involved "in any way" in the US-led strike on Venezuela, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said, per BBC.
Argentina:
Following the incident, President Javier Milei of Argentina commented the capture of Nicolás Maduro as "Liberty advances," Milei wrote on social media, The New York Times reported.
The EU:
The European Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas said that the bloc calls for restraint after the latest events in Venezuela.
"The EU has repeatedly stated that Mr Maduro lacks legitimacy and has defended a peaceful transition," Kallas said in a post on X. "Under all circumstances, the principles of international law and the UN Charter must be respected."
Germany:
Germany was watching the situation in Venezuela with great concern, the German Foreign Ministry said on Saturday. The ministry was in close contact with the embassy in Caracas, and a crisis team was scheduled to meet later on Saturday to discuss the situation, the ministry said in a statement, according to Deutsche Welle.
Italy:
Italy's foreign minister Antonio Tajani said on Saturday that Rome and its diplomatic representation in Caracas were monitoring any developments of the situation in Venezuela with particular attention to the Italian community in the country, The Guardian also reported.
Spanish:
Madrid called for de-escalation, moderation and respect for international law in Venezuela, the Spanish Foreign Ministry said in a statement. It also offered itself as a negotiator to help find a peaceful solution in Venezuela, the report by Al Jazeera noted.
France:
France condemned the American operation, saying it undermined international law while no solution to the country's crisis can be imposed from the outside, Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot wrote on X, RFI reported.
Brazil:
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said on Saturday on his X that the bombings on Venezuelan territory and the capture of its president cross an unacceptable line. These acts represent a most serious affront to the sovereignty of Venezuela and yet another extremely dangerous precedent for the entire international community.
Chile:
Chilean President Gabriel Boric said that "As the Government of Chile, we express our concern and condemnation of the military actions of the United States in Venezuela and call for a peaceful solution to the serious crisis affecting the country," per Reuters.
"Chile reaffirms its commitment to the basic principles of international law, such as the prohibition of the use of force, non-intervention, the peaceful settlement of international disputes, and the territorial integrity of States."
Colombia:
"The Republic of Colombia reiterates its conviction that peace, respect for international law, and the protection of life and human dignity must prevail over any form of armed confrontation," Colombian President Gustavo Petro said in a post on X, Al Jazeera reported.
Cuba:
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel on Saturday condemned what he described as the "criminal US attack" against Venezuela, demanding an urgent response from the international community, according to Xinhua.
In a social media post, the president said that the region of peace (Latin America) is being brutally assaulted, and "this is state terrorism against the brave Venezuelan people and against Our America," per Xinhua.
Russia:
Russia's Foreign Ministry on Saturday called for the release of Maduro and his wife from US custody, according to The Moscow Times.
"We are extremely concerned by reports that the President of Venezuela Nicolas Maduro and his spouse were forcibly taken out of the country during today's aggressive actions by the United States," according to a statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation regarding the further development of the situation around Venezuela.
"We demand immediate clarification of these reports. If such actions did in fact take place, they represent an unacceptable violation of the sovereignty of an independent state, the respect for which is a fundamental principle of international law," the statement said.
Iran:
In a statement posted on X, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei wrote, "What's important is when one realizes an enemy wants to force something on one's govt. or nation with false claims, they must stand firmly against that enemy. We won't give in to them."
Iran's foreign ministry said it "strongly condemns the American military attack on Venezuela and the flagrant violation of the national sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country," per Al Jazeera.
Global Times