In the early hours of January 3, 2026, the United States carried out a large-scale military operation against Venezuela which included bombings and the entry of special forces into Caracas.
US President Donald Trump announced that his country captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Floresafter intense attacks on military installations and strategic points in the Venezuelan capital, but what happened next?
International reactions
- The president of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, requested an immediate meeting of the UN and OAS:
- The Government of Venezuela denounced military aggression by the United States, which it considered “a flagrant violation of the Charter of the United Nations, especially its articles 1 and 2, which enshrine respect for sovereignty, the legal equality of States and the prohibition of the use of force.”
- Nicolás Maduro encouraged Venezuelans to engage in armed struggle and declared a state of emergency throughout the territory.
- Miguel Díaz-Canel, president of Cuba, denounced that the Peace Zone of the Caribbean Sea was attacked by the US army:
- Evo Morales, former president of Bolivia, made known his repudiation of the actions of the Americans:
- Democratic Senator Rubén Gallego of Arizona pointed out that the reaction of his country’s government was shameful.
- Donald Trump announced that he captured Maduro and his wife.
- Argentine President Javier Milei congratulated Donald Trump for his actions:
- Pamela Bondi, US Attorney General, announced the charges that Maduro and his wife would face:
- Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, president of Brazil, said the events were unacceptable.
- The Russian Foreign Ministry condemned the armed attack:
- Chilean President Gabriel Boric Font expressed concern about US military operations in Venezuela
- JD Vance, a US senator, noted Trump’s firmness.
- António Guterres, UN secretary general, said the events were a dangerous precedent.
- The opposition and Nobel Peace Prize winner, María Corina Machado, pointed out that Edmundo González Urrutia, candidate for the 2024 presidential elections, should assume his position. Argentina and Panama also requested it.
- Donald Trump assured that his government will remain in Venezuela for a just and peaceful transition; He also confirmed the transfer of Maduro and his wife to New York.
- Pete Hegseth, US Secretary of War, said at a press conference that the actions were to guarantee the security of his nation.
- Elon Musk congratulated Donald Trump:
- French President Emmanuel Macron was happy about the arrest of Nicolás Maduro:
How did Mexico respond?
- Gerardo Fernández Noroña pointed out that the bombing that Caracas suffered by the United States was serious.
- The Mexican Embassy in Venezuela issued recommendations for Mexicans who live in Venezuela or are traveling to Caracas:
- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE) rejected the military actions in Caracas.
- President Claudia Sheinbaum recalled that UN members should not resort to the threat or use of force against another nation; During his work tour in Tlaxcala, he reiterated Mexico’s position regarding peace in nations:
- Carolina Rangel, general secretary of Morena, condemned the military intervention.
- Jorge Álvarez Máynez, national coordinator of the Citizen Movement, assured that Latin America “must claim its right to free self-determination.”
- Laura Itzel Castillo Juárez, president of the Senate of the Republic, recalled that “among individuals, as between nations, respect for the rights of others is peace.”
- The head of Government of Mexico City, Clara Brugada, supporting the position of the federal government headed by President Claudia Sheinbaum.
- The National Action Party (PAN), through its leader Jorge Romero, pointed out the humanitarian and social crisis in Venezuela.
- The governor of Veracruz, Rocío Nahle, showed her support for Claudia Sheinbaum.
- Former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador gave his opinion on the situation and sent a message to Donald Trump:
