The U.S. military operation in Venezuela on Saturday night and he capture of the country’s President Nicolás Maduro promoted a series of reactions by the international community.

Explosions were reported in the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, after the operation, though independent confirmation of the circumstances surrounding Maduro’s detention was not immediately available.

United Nations

U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres expressed concern over the escalation, warning that international law had not been respected. In a statement, he called the operation a “dangerous precedent” and urged all parties in Venezuela to engage in inclusive dialogue while respecting human rights and the rule of law.

Major powers

China said it was “deeply shocked” and strongly condemned the U.S. use of force against a sovereign state, accusing Washington of violating international law and threatening peace in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Russia’s foreign ministry called the operation “deeply troubling and unacceptable,” describing Maduro’s government as Moscow’s closest ally in South America. Iran also condemned the U.S. action as illegal and a blatant violation of Venezuela’s territorial integrity.

Turkey urged restraint from all sides to avoid damaging consequences for regional and global security.

Latin America

Colombian President Gustavo Petro ordered troops deployed to the border with Venezuela and condemned the U.S. action as a violation of national sovereignty, warning it could trigger a wider humanitarian crisis. He called for an emergency meeting of the Organization of American States and the United Nations.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva also condemned what he called a serious breach of Venezuelan sovereignty, saying the bombing and detention of a sitting president threatened regional peace.

In contrast, Argentina’s President Javier Milei welcomed the U.S. action, repeating his slogan “Long live freedom’”.

European Union

The European Union called for respect for international law and reiterated its support for a democratic and peaceful transition in Venezuela. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said she urged restraint in talks with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed solidarity with the Venezuelan people, stressing that any transition must respect international law and the U.N. Charter.

The UK said it did not participate in the operation but reiterated its long-standing view that Maduro’s presidency lacked legitimacy. France’s President Emmanuel Macron said Venezuela had been freed from dictatorship but called for a peaceful and democratic transition.

Germany said Maduro had led Venezuela into ruin and called for political solutions in line with international norms. Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni described the U.S. operation as legitimate and defensive but cautioned that foreign military action was not a long-term solution to authoritarian rule.

Israel welcomed Maduro’s removal, with Foreign Minister Gideon Saar calling it a historic moment and praising Trump as a leader of the “free world.”

The situation in Venezuela remains volatile, with no independent verification yet of the full scope of the operation or its political consequences.