As international backlash continues over the January 3 US military operation capturing Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores, South Africa's political parties show sharp divisions. The ANC and others condemned the action as imperialist aggression violating international law, while the Freedom Front Plus welcomed it. The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) urged UN Security Council intervention.
The US operation followed airstrikes on alleged drug-smuggling vessels, with President Donald Trump stating America would oversee Venezuela's transition. Maduro and Flores pleaded not guilty in New York court on January 5 to narco-terrorism, drug trafficking, and weapons charges.
Dirco called the strike a 'manifest violation' of the UN Charter, with Acting Deputy Ambassador Jonathan Passmoor stressing sovereignty breaches during the UNSC debate on January 5.
Condemnations: The ANC labeled it 'imperialist aggression' at its January 6 NEC meeting, with Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula demanding Maduro's release and criticizing supportive GNU voices. The EFF decried it as the 'most blatant imperial act in decades'; ActionSA said it undermines the UN; MK saw resource-grab parallels to Africa; the Good party warned of endangering global order; Rise Mzansi likened it to 1930s aggression; and the Patriotic Alliance called it an oil power play.
Support or Nuance: The Democratic Alliance accused Dirco of hypocrisy over Ukraine; Build One South Africa urged UN review for fair Venezuelan elections; the Freedom Front Plus hailed the 'end of socialist failure,' praising action on indictments; the Inkatha Freedom Party had not responded.
