Following the U.S. military's January 3, 2026, capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores for drug charges, international backlash intensified. South Africa, BRICS nations, and others decried the operation as a sovereignty violation, while Europe offered mixed responses and Trump issued fresh threats against other countries.
The U.S. raid on January 3 has drawn sharp global criticism in the ensuing days. South Africa's acting deputy ambassador to the UN, Jonathan Passmoor, condemned the action as violating "the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of Venezuela," warning it reinforces a "might is right" mentality and undermines diplomacy, akin to interventions in Libya and Iraq.
BRICS partners echoed the sentiment: Brazil's President Lula da Silva called it crossing "an unacceptable line"; Russia labeled it "armed aggression" on "indefensible" pretexts; China criticized the "hegemonic acts"; Iran decried a "grave breach" of peace. India urged peaceful resolution cautiously, while newer members like Egypt, Ethiopia, and the UAE stayed silent and Indonesia stressed UN Charter respect.
The African Union called for restraint and sovereignty respect; Ghana likened it to "colonial and imperial" eras. In Latin America, Cuba branded it "state terrorism," but Argentina's Javier Milei welcomed it as promoting freedom.
Europe's reactions were more reserved: EU's Kaja Kallas highlighted Maduro's illegitimacy; Britain's Keir Starmer showed no regret over the regime's end. France and Spain criticized more pointedly, with Spain's Pedro Sánchez noting violations of international law and regional risks.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres voiced deep concern at the Security Council over the precedent, citing UN Charter breaches against force, and urged inclusive Venezuelan dialogue to avert instability.
President Trump brushed off the outcry, telling The Atlantic, "We do need Greenland, absolutely," while threatening Colombia, Mexico, and others on drug issues. Denmark's Mette Frederiksen rejected Greenland sale overtures.
Analysts see this as straining the international order, risking further U.S. actions and instability.