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Topic:World Politics
The US will temporarily "run" Venezuela after American forces captured the country's now-deposed president Nicolás Maduro and first lady Cilia Flores in an extraordinary military strike.
The move has garnered celebration and condemnation across the globe.
Here's how world leaders have reacted:
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the government was "monitoring developments".
"We urge all parties to support dialogue and diplomacy in order to secure regional stability and prevent escalation. Australia has long held concerns about the situation in Venezuela, including the need to respect democratic principles, human rights and fundamental freedoms," he wrote on X.
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he wanted to "establish the facts first".
"I want to speak to President Trump," he said.
"I want to speak to allies.
"I can be absolutely clear that we were not involved … and I always say and believe we should all uphold international law."
Follow our blog for live coverage after the US action in Venezuela.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy asked reporters, "How should I react to this?"
"What can I say?" he mused with a wry smile.
Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated Mr Trump for "bold and historic leadership on behalf of freedom and justice".
"I salute your decisive resolve and the brilliant action of your brave soldiers," he said.
Germany's Foreign Ministry called for all parties to "avoid an escalation of the situation and to seek ways for a political settlement".
"International law has to be respected … Venezuelans deserve a peaceful and democratic future."
China's Foreign Ministry said it was "deeply shocked".
"[China] strongly condemns the use of force by the US against a sovereign country and the use of force against the president of a country," a ministry statement said.
France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said the capture of Mr Maduro "violates the principle of not resorting to force, that underpins international law".
"France reiterates that no lasting political solution can be imposed from the outside and that only sovereign people themselves can decide their future," he wrote on X.
South Africa's Department of International Relations called on the UN Security Council to "urgently convene".
Russia's Foreign Ministry called the US act an "armed aggression against Venezuela", adding it was "deeply concerning and condemnable".
"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," it said.
Russia's Vladimir Putin is an ally of Mr Maduro, seen here in May 2025. (Reuters: Alexander Zemlianichenko/Pool)
Argentine President Javier Mileir said Mr Maduro was rigging elections and "despite that, he clinged on to power".
"That's why I'd say that today's news is excellent news for the free world," he added.
Mexico's Ministry of Foreign Affairs "strongly condemns and rejects the military actions".
"[The actions] carried out unilaterally in recent hours by the armed forces of the United States of America against targets in the territory of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, [are] in clear violation of Article 2 of the Charter of the United Nations," it added.
Canada's Foreign Minister Anita Anand called on parties to "respect international law".
"Canada is engaging with its international partners and monitoring developments closely."
In a government statement, Paraguay said it was "closely monitoring current developments in Venezuela".
"[Paraguay's government] calls for prioritising democratic means that guarantee an orderly transition," it added.
Bolivia's Foreign Affairs Ministry reiterated its "commitment to peace, democracy, and coordination with the international community".
Panama's President José Raúl Mulino said his government was in favour of "democratic trials and in favour of accepting the legitimate wishes of the Venezuelan people".
"As expressed emphatically at the polls, where Edmundo González was elected," he added.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said the bombings "cross an unacceptable line".
"Attacking countries in flagrant violation of international law is the first step toward a world of violence, chaos, and instability, where the law of the strongest prevails over multilateralism."
Russian ally President Alexander Lukashenko said Belarus "categorically condemns" the US's actions.
Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa said the "time is coming for all the narco-Chavista criminals".
"Their structure will finally collapse across the entire continent," he wrote on X.
Uruguay's Foreign Ministry said it had always rejected the "military intervention by one country in the territory of another".
"[Uruguay] reaffirms the importance of respecting international law and the UN Charter, in particular the basic principle that States must refrain from resorting to the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations," it said.
Chile's President Gabriel Boric said his country expressed its "concern and condemnation of the military actions of the United States in Venezuela".
Colombia's President Gustavo Petro said he viewed the strikes with "deep concerns".
Iran's Foreign Ministry condemned the strikes "as a blatant violation of its national sovereignty and territorial integrity".
It called on the UN Security Council to "act immediately to halt the unlawful aggression" and hold those responsible accountable.
Similarly, Mr Maduro is an ally of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. (Reuters: Miraflores Palace/Handout )
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel denounced the Venezuelan attacks, calling them an "unacceptable attack on international law".
"We do not accept or recognise the Monroe Doctrine, or kings or outdated emperors," he added.
Spain's Foreign Ministry called for "de-escalation and moderation".
"And for action to always be taken in accordance with international law and the principles of the UN Charter."
The office of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said the US external military action was "not the way to end totalitarian regimes".
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