China, France and the United Nations have condemned the United States’ military operation in Venezuela after US forces captured President Nicolás Maduro, with President Donald Trump declaring that Washington would effectively “run” the South American nation.
Maduro was flown to New York late Saturday following a swift pre-dawn operation in Caracas in which US special forces seized him and his wife, while airstrikes targeted strategic locations in and around the Venezuelan capital.
A US government aircraft carrying Maduro landed at a military base before he was transferred by helicopter to New York City, where he is expected to be arraigned on drug trafficking and weapons charges.
The White House later released footage showing the Venezuelan leader in handcuffs, escorted by US federal agents through a Drug Enforcement Administration facility.
Trump said he was appointing senior cabinet officials to oversee Venezuela’s affairs, though he provided no further details.
He also suggested that US troops could be deployed, stating that Washington was “not afraid of boots on the ground.”
While opposition figures called for an immediate political transition, Trump appeared sceptical about Venezuela’s opposition taking power.
Instead, he indicated a willingness to work with Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, describing her as someone who might cooperate with US plans.
A central focus of Washington’s interest, Trump acknowledged, is Venezuela’s vast oil reserves. He said US oil companies would be allowed to invest billions of dollars to repair the country’s damaged energy infrastructure.
“We’re going to have our very large United States oil companies go in, fix the badly broken infrastructure, and sell large amounts of oil,” Trump said, while adding that the embargo on Venezuelan oil would remain in place.
Washington imposed sweeping sanctions on Venezuela in 2017, followed by oil sanctions two years later. Despite holding some of the world’s largest proven crude reserves, Venezuela’s production has fallen sharply due to years of mismanagement and corruption.
China reacted strongly, condemning the US action as a violation of international law and calling for Maduro’s immediate release.
France warned that any political solution must not be imposed from outside, while UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was deeply concerned that international legal norms had not been respected.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) also urged restraint, aligning with the African Union’s call for inclusive dialogue and respect for Venezuela’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Meanwhile, Pope Leo XIV said the welfare of Venezuelans must take precedence following Maduro’s removal. Speaking after Sunday’s Angelus prayer at the Vatican, the pontiff called for an end to violence and urged respect for human rights, the rule of law and national sovereignty.
“The welfare of the beloved Venezuelan people must prevail over all other considerations,” the Pope said, stressing the need for justice, peace and protection of the most vulnerable amid the country’s deepening economic crisis.
