US strikes on Venezuela spark concern from domestic, foreign media as protests erupt across country
Protesters hold signs showing disapproval of American actions in Venezuela in front of the White House Washington on January 3, 2026. Photo: VCG
Some media outlets have questioned US’ decision and turned their attention to the world’s response to Maduro’s capture.
CNN News explained Trump’s legal authority in Venezuela in a report published on Saturday, saying that military operation means the questions about Trump’s legal authorities could again be tested – just as he’s already tested them with his legally dubious strikes on alleged drug boats and other actions in the region.
The report also said that the story of Trump’s administration stretching of the law certainly isn’t over.
“Expressions of unbridled power don’t come blunter than abducting a sitting president from his capital in the dead of night,” CNN News noted in a report titled “Trump’s snatching of Maduro shows a new level of unrestrained global power”.
The New York Times ran headlines with “shock and skepticism” to cover the global reaction to US’ seize of Maduro.
The Guardian ran headlines infused with tones of skepticism to cover the incident, saying that “Is there any legal justification for the US attack on Venezuela?” The report said that the legality of the operation has been called into question – with even some of Trump’s allies suggesting it violated international law.
In another report, the Guardian also used “Global outcry” to report the incident, saying that “The US has been condemned for breaking international law after it launched airstrikes on the Venezuelan capital and captured its president, Nicolás Maduro, and his wife.”
AI Jazeera reported US’ operation as an “Act of War” in the headline, citing experts to reject Trump rationale for Venezuela attack.
US Democratic lawmakers on Saturday also showed their anger and distress in the aftermath of the US raid on Venezuela and capture of Venezuelan President Maduro early Saturday morning, the Xinhua News Agency reported.
They said that Congress had not been notified in advance and that Trump's administration had previously lied to Congress about its goal in the oil-rich South American nation. Meanwhile, they demanded an immediate briefing on the operation and on the White House's next move, per Xinhua.
Jeanne Shaheen, a Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said the Trump administration has "consistently misled" lawmakers, leaving Congress in the dark on any US "long-term strategy" concerning Venezuela.
Furthermore, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has voiced his opposition to the US military's capture of Maduro.
Mamdani said that he called the president and spoke with him directly to register his opposition to this act, CBS News reported. He said, "and to make clear that it was an opposition based on being opposed to a pursuit of regime change, to the violation of federal international law, and a desire to see that be consistent each and every day."
However, the report said Mamdani did not mention what the president's response was.
Across the US, Americans have taken to the streets to protest Trump’s military operation in Venezuela and capture of Maduro and his wife. While Venezuelans have had mixed reactions, many people in the US are voicing frustration with the looming potential of war and bloodshed over oil, CNN reported on Saturday.
Dozens have gathered outside the White House, holding signs reading “No War on Venezuela,” “No blood for oil” and “US hands off Latin America.” Protesters sang and held up Venezuelan flags, per CNN’s report.
In New York, crowds gathered in Times Square outside the US Army Recruiting Office, holding signs against war in Venezuela.
In Boston, crowds chanted “No more blood for oil / Hands off Venezuelan soil,” and held signs reading “Venezuela’s Not The Problem. Empire Is” and “No War on Venezuela” as local activists spoke against the strike.
A hoard of people from Minneapolis braved the freezing temperatures to protest, waving the Venezuelan flag and holding signs reading “Free President Maduro.”
Smaller protests have also occurred in Atlanta, while more in Chicago and Los Angeles are scheduled later this evening, CNN reported.
Several countries have issued strong condemnations over the US for its attack on Venezuela. Venezuela denounced the US' "military aggression," after large explosions were heard and aircraft were seen over its capital Caracas earlier in the day.
China is deeply shocked by and strongly condemns the US’ blatant use of force against a sovereign state and action against its president, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson made the remarks on the US military strikes on Venezuela.
Such hegemonic acts of the US seriously violate international law and Venezuela’s sovereignty, and threaten peace and security in Latin America and the Caribbean region. China firmly opposes it. We call on the US to abide by international law and the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and stop violating other countries’ sovereignty and security, the spokesperson said.
Global Times
A member of Union del Barrio walks with a Venezuelan flag and a sign in opposition of American intervention on Venezuela prior to a Union del Barrio US out of Venezuela press conference on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA. Photo: VCG
Protests break out in multiple cities across the US following the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on January 3, 2026 local time. In Los Angeles, California, demonstrators took to the streets to protest US President Donald Trump’s military actions in Venezuela and the detention of President Maduro and his wife. Photo: IC
A woman holds a sign during a rally in support of Venezuela outside the U.S. Embassy in Bogota, Colombia, Jan. 3, 2026. The U.S. military launched a series of attacks against Venezuela early Saturday morning, reportedly capturing Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and flying him out of the country. (Photo: Xinhua)
Dozens have gathered outside the White House, holding signs reading “No War on Venezuela,” “No blood for oil” and “US hands off Latin America.” Protesters sang and held up Venezuelan flags, per CNN’s report.
In New York, crowds gathered in Times Square outside the US Army Recruiting Office, holding signs against war in Venezuela.
In Boston, crowds chanted “No more blood for oil / Hands off Venezuelan soil,” and held signs reading “Venezuela’s Not The Problem. Empire Is” and “No War on Venezuela” as local activists spoke against the strike.
A hoard of people from Minneapolis braved the freezing temperatures to protest, waving the Venezuelan flag and holding signs reading “Free President Maduro.”
Smaller protests have also occurred in Atlanta, while more in Chicago and Los Angeles are scheduled later this evening, CNN reported.
Several countries have issued strong condemnations over the US for its attack on Venezuela. Venezuela denounced the US' "military aggression," after large explosions were heard and aircraft were seen over its capital Caracas earlier in the day.
China is deeply shocked by and strongly condemns the US’ blatant use of force against a sovereign state and action against its president, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson made the remarks on the US military strikes on Venezuela.
Such hegemonic acts of the US seriously violate international law and Venezuela’s sovereignty, and threaten peace and security in Latin America and the Caribbean region. China firmly opposes it. We call on the US to abide by international law and the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and stop violating other countries’ sovereignty and security, the spokesperson said.
Global Times
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