World leaders reacted on Saturday to U.S. military strikes in Venezuela and the reported capture of President Nicolás Maduro, with responses ranging from praise to condemnation.
French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed what he described as the removal of Venezuela’s leader, while stressing that any transition must be peaceful, democratic and respect the will of the Venezuelan people.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the legal assessment of the U.S. strikes was “complex,” declining to offer a definitive view.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres expressed concern over the escalation between the United States and Venezuela, warning that the developments could set a “dangerous precedent.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised U.S. President Donald Trump for what he described as decisive leadership and the actions of U.S. forces involved in the operation.
China strongly criticised the U.S. action, with the Foreign Ministry saying it was deeply shocked and condemning the use of force against a sovereign country and its president.
Russia also condemned the strikes, calling for restraint and urging all parties to seek a peaceful resolution through dialogue.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer declined to comment on whether the U.S. military action may have breached international law.
File Photo: Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro addresses the General Debate of the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York, on Sept. 26, 2018.
