Cape Town – South Africa has condemned the United States’ unilateral military action in Venezuela, which resulted in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro, warning that it violates the United Nations Charter.
The government has called for an urgent UN Security Council meeting, saying the use of force against a sovereign state undermines international law and global stability.
“Furthermore, the Charter does not authorise external military intervention in matters that are essentially within the domestic jurisdiction of a sovereign nation,” Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) spokesperson Crispin Phiri said on Saturday.
🚨🇺🇲🇻🇪 South Africa condemns the unlawful, unilateral actions taken by the US to ‘capture’ Venezuela’s President Maduro, stating that such moves undermine global stability and the international order.
Solidarity with nations fighting for sovereignty!#Venezuela #UnitedStates pic.twitter.com/UHY1nbJ9lg
— THE SQUADRON (@THE_SQUADR0N) January 3, 2026
According to the US, the operation involved large-scale strikes on Caracas and other cities, with explosions, helicopter activity, power outages and reported civilian casualties.
Venezuela’s government and military leaders denounced the attack as illegal and announced nationwide troop deployments in response.
International reaction has been mixed: the European Union urged restraint, de-escalation and respect for international law, while Russia strongly condemned the action as armed aggression and demanded clarity on Maduro’s fate, reaffirming its support for him.
Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro’s first picture after being captured by U.S. forces. Does this mean the United States can enter any country and arrest a president? Could the USA enter South Africa and arrest President Cyril Ramaphosa if Donald Trump wanted to? pic.twitter.com/GMUKjzplna
— Man’s NOT Barry Roux (@AdvoBarryRoux) January 3, 2026
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Source: AFP
