Venezuela’s neighbours and allies of its President Nicolas Maduro on Saturday condemned a large scale US strike on the South American country, as Spain offered to mediate for a peaceful settlement.

US President Donald Trump said earlier that US forces had captured Maduro and flown him and his wife out of the country.

The Venezuelan government decried what it termed a “extremely serious military aggression” by Washington and declared a state of emergency as several leaders allied with Caracas denounced the US action.

Following are reactions to Saturday’s US strikes on Venezuela.

Iran

Iran, which has close links with oil-rich Venezuela, said it “strongly condemns the US military attack on Venezuela and a flagrant violation of the country’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity”.

Colombia

Colombian President Gustavo Petro called it an “assault on the sovereignty” of Latin America which would lead to a humanitarian crisis.

Colombia is a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council this year and leftist leader Petro called for the body to meet “immediately.”

Cuba

Cuba, a traditional regional ally, denounced what it called “state terrorism against the brave Venezuelan people” according to a statement by President Miguel Diaz-Canel, who urged a “response from the international community” following a “criminal attack” on Caracas.

Russia

Russia condemned the US military action as “an act of armed aggression against Venezuela.”

“This is deeply concerning and condemnable,” the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement. “The pretexts used to justify such actions are untenable. Ideological hostility has triumphed over businesslike pragmatism,” it added.

Spain

Spain offered to mediate in the crisis in an attempt to broker a negotiated and peaceful solution.

“Spain calls for de-escalation and restraint,” the foreign ministry said in a statement, adding it was “ready to help in the search for a democratic, negotiated, and peaceful solution for the country,”

Germany

Germany’s foreign ministry told AFP that “we are monitoring the situation in Venezuela very closely and following the latest reports with great concern. The foreign ministry is in close contact with the embassy in Caracas.”

Berlin added that the government’s crisis team was in session and “we are coordinating closely with our partners.”

Italy

The office of Italy’s Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, said she was “closely monitoring the situation in Venezuela, remaining in constant contact with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Antonio Tajani, also in order to gather information about our fellow citizens.”

US Democratic senators

US senator Brian Schatz, a Democrat, said on X: “We have no vital national interests in Venezuela to justify war. We should have learned not to stumble into another stupid adventure by now.”

Fellow Democrat senator Ruben Gallego said on X: “This war is illegal, it’s embarrassing that we went from the world cop to the world bully in less than one year. There is no reason for us to be at war with Venezuela.”

Former Bolivian leader Morales

Former Bolivian president Evo Morales, a close Caracas ally, said on X he “forcefully rejected” the US “bombardment.”

Trinidad and Tobago

“Earlier this morning, Saturday 3rd January 2026, the United States commenced military operations within the territory of Venezuela.

“Trinidad and Tobago is NOT a participant in any of these ongoing military operations. Trinidad and Tobago continues to maintain peaceful relations with the people of Venezuela,” Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar said.

Indonesia

Indonesia Foreign Ministry spokesperson Yvonne Mewengkang said that they were monitoring developments in Venezuela to ensure the safety of its citizens.

“Indonesia also calls on all relevant parties to prioritise peaceful resolution through de-escalation and dialogue, while prioritising the protection of civilians.

“Indonesia emphasises the importance of respecting international law and the principles of the UN Charter.”

The US has struck Venezuela and captured its President Nicolas Maduro, who has been taken out of the country, President Donald Trump said on Saturday. The US has not made such a direct intervention in Latin America since the invasion of Panama in 1989 to depose military leader Manuel Noriega.

“The United States of America has successfully carried out a large-scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the country,” Trump said in a Truth Social post.

There was no immediate confirmation from the Venezuelan government.

The US has accused Maduro of running a “narco-state” and rigging an election.

The Venezuelan leader, who succeeded Hugo Chavez to take power in 2013, has said Washington wants to take control of its oil reserves, the largest in the world.

• Column of smoke seen, loud noises heard in Venezuelan capital.
• Pentagon refrains from immediately responding to reports of attack.
• Trump admin officials are aware of reports of explosions.

Airplanes, loud noises and at least one column of smoke were being heard and seen in the Venezuelan capital Caracas in the early hours of Saturday morning, according to Reuters witnesses, and the southern area of the city, near a major military base, was without electricity.

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly promised land operations in Venezuela, amid efforts to pressure President Nicolas Maduro to leave office, including expanded sanctions, a ramped-up US military presence in the region and more than two dozen strikes on vessels allegedly involved in trafficking drugs in the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea.

Venezuela rejects “military aggression” by the United States, the government of President Nicolas Maduro said in a statement early Saturday.

Attacks took place in the capital of Caracas and the states of Miranda, Aragua and La Guaira, the statement said, prompting Maduro to declare a national emergency and call on social and political forces to “activate mobilisation plans.”

Trump administration officials are aware of reports of explosions and aircraft over Venezuela’s capital Caracas early on Saturday morning, CBS reporter Jennifer Jacobs posted on X.

Pentagon did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Maduro has accused the Trump administration of seeking a change in government to gain access to Venezuela’s vast oil reserves.

“At this moment they are bombing Caracas” Colombian President Gustavo Petro posted on X. “Alert everyone — they have attacked Venezuela. They are bombing with missiles. The (Organisation of American States) and the UN must meet immediately.”

Petro, who did not provide further information or indicate the source of his assertions, has repeatedly expressed opposition to the US pressure campaign.

The US has made a major military buildup in the region, including an aircraft carrier, warships and advanced fighter jets stationed in the Caribbean.

Trump has announced a “blockade” of Venezuelan oil, expanded sanctions and staged more than two dozen strikes on vessels the US alleges were involved in trafficking drugs in the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea.

Last week, Trump said the United States had “hit” an area in Venezuela where boats are loaded with drugs, marking the first known time Washington has carried out land operations in Venezuela since the pressure campaign began.

He did not say whether those strikes were carried out by the CIA or not. Other media outlets have reported that the spy agency was behind them.

Trump has accused the South American country of flooding the US with drugs, and his administration has for months been bombing boats originating in South America that it alleges were carrying drugs. 

Many nations have condemned the attacks as extrajudicial killings and Maduro’s government has always denied any involvement with drug trafficking.