Global reaction to U.S. strikes on Venezuela includes condemnation, concern for foreign nationals [View all]

Source: CBS News

January 3, 2026 / 6:51 AM EST


International leaders reacted swiftly on Saturday morning as President Trump confirmed U.S. military strikes in Venezuela and announced the capture of the country's leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife. Many U.S. adversaries, including some of Venezuela's nearest neighbors, condemned the strikes, while other governments around the world called for deescalation and voiced concern for their citizens in the Latin American nation.

Latin American reaction

Colombia, which shares a border with Venezuela, called for urgent deescalation. It said it had "implemented steps to protect the civilian population, preserve stability on the Colombian-Venezuelan border, and promptly address any potential humanitarian or migration needs." Cuban president Miguel Diaz-Canel called the operation a "criminal US attack." He said the country denounced the attack and called for an "URGENT reaction from the international community."

Iran and Russia condemn U.S. action in Venezuela

Iran also condemned the attack, calling it a "flagrant violation of the national sovereignty and territorial integrity" of Venezuela, the AFP news agency reported. Mr. Trump recently responded to reports that at least eight people have been killed amid nearly a week of escalating protests in Iran by warning the Middle Eastern country that the U.S. was "locked and loaded and ready to go."

Russia's foreign ministry accused the U.S. of "an act of armed aggression against Venezuela. This is deeply concerning and condemnable" in a statement, according to the Reuters news agency. "The pretexts used to justify such actions are unfounded. Ideological animosity has prevailed over business pragmatism and the willingness to build relationships based on trust and predictability," the statement said. "In the current situation, it is important, first and foremost, to prevent further escalation and to focus on finding a way out of the situation through dialogue."

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