In a dramatic turn of events, President Donald Trump announced the capture and indictment of Venezuelan socialist leader Nicols Maduro, sparking a flurry of reactions from global leaders.
According to the Daily Caller, Trump took to Truth Social early Saturday to declare that the United States had "successfully carried out a large scale [sic] strike against Venezuela," leading to the capture and removal of Maduro and his wife. Just hours later, Attorney General Pam Bondi revealed on X that the couple faced five charges, including narco-terrorism conspiracy and cocaine importation conspiracy, asserting that they "will soon face the full wrath of American justice on American soil in American courts."
This decisive action was met with praise from Argentina's President Javier Milei, a libertarian populist and Trump ally, who celebrated the event with the exclamation, "LIBERTY ADVANCES," and "LONG LIVE LIBERTY, DAMN IT."
In contrast, United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer adopted a more cautious stance, refraining from either endorsing or criticizing Trump's actions. "Its obviously a fast-moving situation. Im waiting to establish all the facts," Starmer stated, emphasizing that the U.K. had no involvement in the operation.
He assured that the safety of British nationals in Venezuela was a priority, with efforts underway in collaboration with the British embassy in Caracas. Starmer also noted Trump's scheduled press conference, expressing hope for further clarity.
When pressed by a reporter on whether he condemned the U.S.'s actions, Starmer maintained his position, stating, "Well, I want to establish the facts first. I want to speak to President Trump. I want to speak to allies. I always say and believe we all should uphold international law. But I say at this stage, fast-moving situation, lets establish the facts and take it from there."
Meanwhile, Kaja Kallas, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, communicated on X that she had discussions with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the EU's ambassador to Venezuela. "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," Kallas remarked, underscoring the importance of adhering to international law and the UN Charter. She stressed that the safety of EU citizens in Venezuela remained paramount.
Prior to Maduro's removal, neither the U.S. nor the EU recognized him as Venezuela's legitimate leader. However, Russian President Vladimir Putin's regime, which had acknowledged Maduro and was considered an ally, condemned Trump's swift action, labeling it "an act of armed aggression."
The Russian Foreign Ministry expressed "deep concern and condemnation," arguing that the justifications for the strike were "unfounded" and that "ideologized hostility has prevailed over practical pragmatism and over a willingness to build relations based on trust and predictability."
The Russian statement further affirmed solidarity with the Venezuelan people and support for the Bolivarian leadership's efforts to defend national interests and sovereignty. As the international community grapples with the implications of this bold move, questions remain about the future of Venezuela and the broader geopolitical landscape.
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