Venezuela, reactions. Moscow: 'International law violated', China calls for immediate release. EU: 'We support democratic transition'

Havana has taken an openly outspoken stance on the side of President Nicolás Maduro, a long-standing regional ally. Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez denounced what he called a "criminal attack" by the United States, urging an "urgent" response from the international community. In a message posted on X, Rodríguez said that Cuba "denounces and demands an immediate international response against the US aggression against Venezuela", claiming that the so-called "Peace Zone" of Latin America and the Caribbean has been "brutally assaulted". The head of Cuban diplomacy spoke of "state terrorism" against the "brave Venezuelan people" and "Our America", closing his message with the revolutionary slogan "Homeland or Death, we will win!"

Alarm also from Bogotá. The president of Colombia Gustavo Petro wrote on X: 'Caracas is under bombardment right now. Alert the world: Venezuela is being attacked! They are bombing with missiles. The Organisation of American States and the UN must meet immediately'. Petro added that institutional and military targets in the capital would be hit, including the Palacio Federal Legislativo, seat of parliament, and the Cuartel de la Montaña, where Hugo Chávez's mausoleum is located. The Colombian president also reported the activation of the defence plan of the Miraflores presidential palace, speaking of a 'currently confirmed balance' of targets hit.

Petro then announced the deployment of the army at the border with Venezuela, stating that 'if you deploy the public force at the border, you also deploy all the assistance force we have in case of a massive entry of refugees'. The Colombian president added that 'the Colombian embassy in Venezuela is active for calls for assistance from Colombians in Venezuela'. He went on to say that 'as members of the United Nations Security Council, we seek to convene the Council', reiterating that 'the government of Colombia rejects the aggression against the sovereignty of Venezuela and Latin America'.

Petro also recalled "the principle of the self-determination of peoples, which is the basis of the United Nations system", stressing that "internal conflicts between peoples are resolved by the peoples themselves in peace". Finally addressing the Venezuelans, the Colombian president called on them 'to find the paths of civil dialogue and unity', stating that 'without sovereignty there is no nation' and that 'peace is the way'. "Dialogue and more dialogue is our proposal," he concluded.

Mexico condemned the US intervention in Venezuela, demanding 'respect for international law and an end to all acts of aggression against the Venezuelan government and people', emphasising that'any military action seriously jeopardises regional stability'.

"The Government of Mexico condemns and strongly rejects the military actions unilaterally conducted in the last few hours by the United States Armed Forces against targets in the territory of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, in clear violation of Article 2 of the United Nations Charter," reads the statement released by the Foreign Ministry. "Mexico urgently calls for respect for international law, as well as the principles and purposes of the United Nations Charter, and the cessation of all acts of aggression against the Venezuelan government and people.

"Mexico strongly reaffirms that dialogue and negotiation are the only legitimate and effective means of resolving existing differences, so it reaffirms its readiness to support any initiative aimed at facilitating dialogue or mediating that can help preserve regional peace and prevent confrontation," the note continues, "It also calls on the United Nations to take immediate action to help reduce tensions, facilitate dialogue and create the conditions that allow for a peaceful and sustainable solution, in accordance with international law.

The Brazilian government has called an emergency meeting to discuss the US attack in Venezuela and the capture of President Nicolas Maduro. This was reported by the newspaper Globo citing Foreign Ministry sources, according to which "the priority right now is to gather detailed information about the operation before making any public statements". The newspaper recalls that President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva had offered in mid-December to mediate between the United States and Venezuela to avoid a military escalation.

Argentine President Javier Milei welcomed the US attack on Venezuela and the capture of Nicolás Maduro: "Freedom advances. Long live freedom, dammit!", he wrote in a post on X commenting on the news of the Venezuelan president's capture.

"The President of the Council, Giorgia Meloni, is closely following the situation in Venezuela, keeping in constant contact with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Antonio Tajani, also with a view to obtaining information on our compatriots," reads a note from Palazzo Chigi. Tajani had already stated on X: 'I am following with our diplomatic representation in Caracas the evolution of the situation with particular attention to the Italian community. The president of the Council Giorgia Meloni is constantly informed. The Farnesina Crisis Unit is operational'.

For its part, the Italian Embassy in Caracas has urged Italians living in the country 'not to leave home and avoid travel'. Ambassador Giovanni Umberto De Vito, speaking to Rai News24, spoke of an "uncertain" situation and urged compatriots to maintain contact with the embassy and consulates. About 160,000 Italians live in Venezuela, many with double passports, as well as expats present for work or tourism.

The British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, assured that the UK was not involved in any way in the US military operation in Venezuela. "We had no role in this operation," Starmer said, quoted by the BBC website. "I want to establish the facts first, talk to President Trump and engage with allies. I can be absolutely clear: we were not involved, the prime minister replied when asked whether he would condemn the action, as some British MPs had already done. Starmer then reiterated the importance of 'respecting international law'. Finally, regarding the British citizens present in Venezuela, some 500, he assured that the government is working with the embassy to ensure their safety and provide them with adequate assistance.

From Brussels, the EU High Representative, Kaja Kallas, makes it known that the European Union has repeatedly stated that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro "lacks legitimacy". He added that he called for restraint and respect for international law regarding the situation. "I spoke with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and with our ambassador in Caracas. The EU is closely monitoring the situation in Venezuela,' he said on X.

European Council President Antonio Costa: "I am following the situation in Venezuela with great concern. The European Union calls for an easing of tensions and for a resolution in full compliance with international law and the principles enshrined in the UN Charter". And again: 'The European Union will continue to support a peaceful, democratic and inclusive solution in Venezuela, we support the efforts of Kaja Kallas, in coordination with Member States, to ensure the safety of European citizens in the country'.

The reaction of Ursula von der Leyen was not long in coming. The president of the European Commission made it known that she is "closely following the situation in Venezuela, we stand by the Venezuelan people and we support a peaceful and democratic transition. Any solution must respect international law and the UN Charter. Together with High Representative Kaja Kallas and in coordination with EU Member States, we make sure that EU citizens in the country can count on our full support".

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has "categorically condemned" the US actions in Venezuela, according to the Belarusian state news agency Belta. The Belarusian Foreign Ministry also stated that the US "armed aggression" represents a "direct threat" to international peace and security.

The Polish foreign minister and deputy prime minister Radoslaw Sikorvski unleashed on X after the US attack on Venezuela, complete with barbs at the opposition and Hungary. First he republished his own post from 2024, where he pointed out that 'Poland and the entire European Union demand an end to the persecution of the opposition in Venezuela and the recognition of the results of the presidential elections. We wish Venezuela a return to democracy'. He then veers into sarcasm: 'It could not have happened to a better person,' he writes without even directly quoting Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro arrested in the US operation. Sikorvski then moves on to attack the opposition. Former Interior Minister Mariusz Kaminski of PiS had tweeted an image of the arrest with a comment addressed to the Polish president: "See Donald Tusk how dictators end up". Sikorvski then replied to him:"And then they are offended if you say 'psychopathic right wing'". As for Hungary, 'they bet on the wrong horse again', he joked, sharing a video of the meeting two years ago between Maduro and Hungarian foreign minister Péter Szijjártó.

From the Venezuelan home front,Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino reappeared in a video after hours of silence, denying rumours of his possible direct involvement in the attacks. Padrino called the US action "a cowardly act" and "the greatest insult the country has ever suffered", assuring that the government will not give in to pressure from Washington. "Far from being a supposed fight against narcoterrorism, this deplorable action aims to impose regime change," he said, reiterating the armed forces' loyalty to President Maduro.