Trump announces capture of Venezuelan Maduro’s wife
Fox News’ Lucas Tomlinson provides details on President Donald Trump’s announcement that Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife were captured and taken out of the country in what Trump described as a massive attack.
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World leaders became sharply divided on Saturday after the United States launched a massive attack on Venezuela and President Donald Trump announced plans to capture and deport the country’s leader Nicolas Maduro.
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, writing on Communist Cuba is a supporter of the Maduro government and has long been an adversary of the United States.
Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro said his government was viewing reports coming from Venezuela “with deep concern”, and warned of further escalation, claiming US attacks risked destabilizing the region.
“The Colombian government rejects any unilateral military action that could worsen the situation or put the civilian population at risk,” Petro wrote on Twitter.
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World leaders reacted with condemnation, concern and praise after the US launched an attack on Venezuela as Trump claimed Maduro had reportedly been captured. (Juan Barreto/AFP via Getty Images)
Petro said Colombia was taking preventive measures to “protect the civilian population” and “maintain stability on the Colombian-Venezuelan border”, although he did not give precise details.
Mexico also condemned the US military intervention in Venezuela, saying it was a “clear violation” of international law and urged an end to “any acts of aggression” against Venezuela.
“Latin America and the Caribbean is a region of peace,” a statement issued by the Mexican Foreign Ministry said. This statement was shared by Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Instagram.
It warned that any military action would “gravely endanger” regional stability.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry also condemned the attacks.
Meanwhile, Argentine President Javier Mili, a close Trump ally, praised the news by sharing an earlier video denouncing Maduro’s “narco-terrorist” regime as a regional threat and urging Latin American leaders to support US pressure to end it.
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Protesters hold posters of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and late former President Hugo Chavez during a rally in Caracas, Venezuela. (Jesus Vargas/Getty Images)
“Long live freedom, damn it!” Miley wrote, using her signature pro-independence mantra.
In Europe, European Council President Antonio Costa said he was following developments in Venezuela “with great concern”, urging de-escalation and respect for international law.
“The EU calls for a de-escalation and a resolution in full respect of international law and the principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations,” Costa said. He said the bloc would continue to support a “peaceful, democratic and inclusive solution” in Venezuela.
In Britain, reform leader and staunch Trump ally Nigel Farage questioned the legality of the attack but said it could lead to favorable results.
Argentina’s President Javier Meili praised the news by sharing a previous video denouncing Maduro’s “narco-terrorist” regime as a regional threat. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
“The overnight US actions in Venezuela are unconventional and contrary to international law – but if they make China and Russia think twice, that could be a good thing,” Farage wrote. “I hope the Venezuelan people can take a new turn now without Maduro.
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Meanwhile, in Venezuela, the government called on citizens to mobilize against the “imperialist attack” and urged, “People take to the streets!”
Regional reaction elsewhere in Latin America was muted in the initial hours after the strike, with many governments remaining silent as uncertainty grew over who was in control in Caracas.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
