Spain, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Uruguay issued a joint statement rejecting the U.S. military operation that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife on January 3, 2026, calling it a violation of international law and urging peaceful dialogue.
Following the U.S. special forces operation on January 3—which resulted in Maduro's transfer to New York for trial on narcoterrorism charges—a group of Ibero-American nations expressed unified opposition. The joint statement from the governments of Spain, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Uruguay voiced 'deep concern and rejection' of the 'unilateral military actions,' warning they breach sovereignty, international law, and the UN Charter, setting a 'dangerous precedent' for regional stability.
The signatories, including left-leaning leaders like Spain's Pedro Sánchez and Brazil's Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, demanded resolution through 'peaceful means, via dialogue, negotiation, and respect for the Venezuelan people's will.' Sánchez unequivocally condemned the intervention in a letter to socialist militants, stressing Spain's commitment to international law. Lula called it a 'grave affront' to Venezuelan sovereignty.
In Venezuela, thousands of Chavistas protested in Caracas demanding Maduro's release, while Vice President Delcy Rodríguez assumed interim leadership. A CELAC ministerial meeting failed to reach consensus, with divisions between condemnations and support from leaders like Argentina's Javier Milei. Colombia pushed for an emergency UN Security Council meeting on Monday, backed by Russia and China. Amnesty International highlighted potential violations of international law and human rights risks.