World reacts after US strikes Venezuela and captures President Maduro

There has been reaction from around the world following the US strikes on Venezuela and the capturing of President Maduro.

European countries have been largely cautious, Russia and China have condemned the American attacks, while there has been applause and outrage in Latin America. 

EUROPEAN COMMISSION PRESIDENT URSULA VON DER LEYEN

"Following very closely the situation in Venezuela. We stand by the people of Venezuela and support a peaceful and democratic transition. Any solution must respect international law and the UN Charter."

KAJA KALLAS, EU HIGH REPRESENTATIVE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS

"I have spoken with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and our Ambassador in Caracas. The EU is closely monitoring the situation in Venezuela.

"The EU has repeatedly stated that Mr Maduro lacks legitimacy and has defended a peaceful transition. Under all circumstances, the principles of international law and the UN Charter must be respected. We call for restraint."

BRITISH PRIME MINISTER KEIR STARMER

"I want to establish the facts first. I want to speak to President Trump. 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."

SPANISH FOREIGN MINISTRY

"Spain calls for de-escalation and moderation, and for action to always be taken in accordance with international law and the principles of the UN Charter.

"In this regard, Spain is willing to offer its good offices to achieve a peaceful and negotiated solution to the current crisis."

CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY

"China is deeply shocked by and strongly condemns the US's blatant use of force against a sovereign state and action against its president. Such hegemonic acts of the US seriously violate international law and Venezuela's sovereignty, and threaten peace and security in Latin America and the Caribbean region. 

"China firmly opposes it. We call on the US to abide by international law and the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and stop violating other countries' sovereignty and security."

RUSSIA FOREIGN MINISTRY

"The US committed an act of armed aggression against Venezuela. This is 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.

"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.

"Latin America must remain a zone of peace, as it declared itself to be in 2014. And Venezuela must be guaranteed the right to determine its own destiny without any destructive, let alone military, interference from outside."

JEAN-NOEL BARROT, FRENCH FOREIGN MINISTER

"The military operation which led to capture of Venezuela's Maduro goes against the principles of international law. France reiterates that only sovereign people of a nation can determine future of that nation."

GIUSEPPE CONTE, ITALIAN OPPOSITION PARTY LEADER AND FORMER PRIME MINISTER

"The American aggression against Venezuela has no legal basis. We are facing a blatant violation of international law, which certifies the dominance of the strongest and best equipped militarily.

"I hope the entire international community will make its voice heard and that everyone will understand that if rules only apply to enemies and not to friends, no one can feel safe anymore."

RODERICH KIESEWETTER, MP FROM GERMANY'S CONSERVATIVE CHRISTIAN DEMOCRATIC UNION

"With President Trump, the US are abandoning the rules-based order that has shaped us since 1945.

"The coup in Venezuela marks a return to the old US doctrine from before 1940: a mindset of thinking in terms of spheres of influence, where the law of force rules, not international law. Trump is destroying what was left of any trust in the US."

LUIZ INACIO LULA DA SILVA, BRAZIL PRESIDENT

"These acts represent a grave affront to Venezuela's sovereignty and yet another extremely dangerous precedent for the entire international community."

ARGENTINE PRESIDENT JAVIER MILEI

"FREEDOM MOVES FORWARD. LONG LIVE FREEDOM, DAMMIT.

"The time to have a timid approach on this subject has passed.”

CHILE'S PRESIDENT GABRIEL BORIC

"As the Government of Chile, we express our concern and condemnation of the military actions of the United States in Venezuela and call for a peaceful solution to the serious crisis affecting the country.

"Chile reaffirms its commitment to the basic principles of international law, such as the prohibition of the use of force, non-intervention, the peaceful settlement of international disputes, and the territorial integrity of States."

COLOMBIA'S PRESIDENT GUSTAVO PETRO

"Colombia reaffirms its unconditional commitment to the principles enshrined in the UN Charter, in particular respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States, the prohibition of the use or threat of use of force, and the peaceful settlement of international disputes. 

"In this regard, the Colombian Government rejects any unilateral military action that could aggravate the situation or put the civilian population at risk."

STEPHANE DUJARRIC, UN SPOKESPERSON 

"UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is deeply alarmed and continues to emphasize the importance of full respect - by all - of international law, including the UN Charter. 

"He's deeply concerned that the rules of international law have not been respected."

SOUTH AFRICAN DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

"South Africa calls on the UN Security Council, the body mandated to maintain international peace and security, to urgently convene to address this situation.

"South Africa views these actions as a manifest violation of the Charter of the UN, which mandates that all Member States refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state."

AYATOLLAH ALI KHAMENEI, IRAN'S SUPREME LEADER

"What matters is that when a person realizes the enemy is arrogantly trying to impose something on the country, on the officials, on the government, and on the nation, one must stand firmly against the enemy and bare one's chest in resistance. We will not yield to the enemy."