BREAKING Pope Leo XIV and World Leaders React to U.S. President Trump's Capture of Venezuela's President Maduro

The capture of President Nicolás Maduro and following U.S. strikes in Venezuela on January 3, 2026, has caused many global reactions.1 The Trump administration describes the move as a "brilliant operation" to dismantle a "narco-terrorist" regime, some of the international community has responded with alarm, citing violations of sovereignty and international law.²

Pope Leo XIV reacts:

Following the Angelus prayer on Sun. Jan. 4, the pope said: It is with deep concern that I am following the developments in Venezuela.

The good of the beloved Venezuelan people must prevail over every other consideration. his must lead to the overcoming of violence, and to the pursuit of paths of justice and peace, guaranteeing the sovereignty of the country, ensuring the rule of law enshrined in its Constitution, respecting the human and civil rights of each and every person, and working together to build a peaceful future of cooperation, stability and harmony, with special attention to the poorest who are suffering because of the difficult economic situation. I pray for all this, and I invite you to pray too, entrusting our prayer to the intercession of Our Lady of Coromoto, and to Saints José Gregorio Hernández and Carmen Rendiles.

Critics of the operation primarily focus on the breach of international norms regarding sovereign territory and the use of force.³

• China: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed "deep shock," labeling the intervention a "hegemonic act" that violates the UN Charter and threatens regional peace (Source: LiveMint).

• Russia: The Kremlin condemned the "act of armed aggression," demanding the immediate release of Maduro and his wife, whom they still recognize as the legitimate leaders of Venezuela (Source: AP News).

• United Nations: UN Secretary-General António Guterres stated he was "deeply alarmed" by the escalation and emphasized that international law must be respected (Source: LiveMint).

• Regional Neighbors: Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro reacted with "outrage and alarm," fearing the precedent for U.S. hegemony in the region (Source: The Guardian).

Cautious Support and "Democracy First"

Several Western allies and democratic nations, while uneasy about the military tactics, have focused on the opportunity for a democratic transition.⁴

• France: Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot condemned the use of force but noted the lack of legitimacy in Maduro’s previous election wins (Source: Wikipedia).

• The European Union: EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas urged "restraint" but reiterated the bloc’s stance that Maduro lacks legitimacy, calling for a peaceful transition to leaders like Edmundo González (Source: Times of India).

• Israel: Formally welcomed the removal of what it termed a "dictator" who led a "network of drugs and terror" (Source: Wikipedia).

Strategic and Economic Concerns

The Trump administration's explicit goal of "running the country" temporarily and inviting U.S. oil companies to rebuild infrastructure has drawn specific criticism.⁵

Key Concern	Global Perspective
Oil Control	Maduro's allies and some analysts call the move a "grab for strategic resources" (Source: Times of India).
Regional Stability	Countries like Uruguay and Panama have expressed "serious concern" regarding potential refugee surges and long-term instability (Source: Yahoo News).
Global Precedent	Critics argue this sets a dangerous precedent for targeting heads of state, which could be mirrored by other powers like China regarding Taiwan (Source: The Guardian).

The United Nations Released:
“The Secretary-General is deeply alarmed by the recent escalation in Venezuela, culminating with today’s United States military action in the country, which has potential worrying implications for the region,” said a statement issued by UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric.

“Independently of the situation in Venezuela, these developments constitute a dangerous precedent. The Secretary-General continues to emphasize the importance of full respect - by all - of international law, including the UN Charter,” the statement continued.

“He’s deeply concerned that the rules of international law have not been respected.”

Mr. Guterres called on all parties involved to engage in “inclusive dialogue” in accordance with human rights and international law.
Protection of Venezuelans

The UN human rights chief Volker Türk also called for restraint and full respect for international law. “The protection of the people of Venezuela is paramount and must guide any further action,” he added.

Venezuela has formally asked the Security Council to meet in emergency session in New York and a meeting has been scheduled for 10am on Monday morning.