RFE
03 Jan 2026, 17:21 GMT+10
US President Donald Trump announced that Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro had been captured and flown out of the country after the United States carried out a large-scale strike that has been sharply condemned by Iran and Russia.
The US military action on the Venezuelan capital of Caracas began on January 3 after months of ongoing pressure from Washington on the South American country.
Details are still emerging about the events, but US Senator Mike Lee said that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told him Maduro had been arrested by US forces to stand trial on criminal charges in the United States.
"He [Rubio] anticipates no further action in Venezuela now that Maduro is in US custody," Leewroteon X following a January 3 call with Washington's top diplomat.
The Russian Foreign Ministrycondemnedwhat it called an "act of armed aggression against Venezuela" by the United States, saying any "excuses" given to justify such actions were "untenable."
"We reaffirm our solidarity with the Venezuelan people and our support for the Bolivarian leadership's course of action aimed at protecting the country's national interests and sovereignty," said a statement from the ministry.
The ministry added that Latin America must "remain a zone of peace."
Venezuela is Moscow's most important partner in Latin America and has provided diplomatic backing and levels of military support for Maduro's regime as he has faced international and domestic pressure over contested elections and an ongoing economic crisis.
"Venezuela must be guaranteed the right to determine its own destiny without any destructive, let alone military, interference from outside," the Russian statement said.
Iran, another key ally of Venezuela, condemned the US military attack, according to Iranian state outlet Press TV.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry said the alleged attack violates Venezuela's sovereignty and territorial integrity as well as the UN charter, Press TV reported.
"The US military aggression against an independent state that is a member of the United Nations is a gross violation of regional and international peace and security, the consequences of which will affect the entire international system," the ministry said.
Neither Moscow nor Tehran has commented on Maduro's capture.
The Venezuelan government has not confirmed Maduro's capture, but Vice President Delcy Rodriguez said his whereabouts and those of First Lady Cilia Flores are unknown. In televised comments, Rodriguez demanded proof of life from Washington and said that the attack killed officials, military personnel, and civilians across the country.
Get a daily dose of St Petersburg Star news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to St Petersburg Star.
More InformationWASHINGTON, D.C.: U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker said he doubted Russia's allegation that Ukraine attacked President Vladimir...
PALM BEACH, Florida: While acknowledging that the disputed Donbas region remains a key unresolved issue, U.S. President Donald Trump...
US President Donald Trump announced that Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro had been captured and flown out of the country after the United...
Moscow [Russia], January 3 (ANI): A senior Russian official has intensified criticism of the European Union's foreign policy leadership,...
Kyiv [Ukraine], January 3 (ANI): Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday (local time) appointed military intelligence chief...
Kyiv [Ukraine], January 3 (ANI): The number of civilians killed in a drone attack on a cafe and a hotel in the Kherson Region of Ukraine's...
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. President Donald Trump in a shock announcement has revealed the United States has abducted Venezuelan President...
PACIFIC GROVE, California: A 55-year-old woman whose body was found days after she had gone missing in a shark last week off the Northern...
GELSENKIRCHEN, Germany: Thieves drilled into a German bank vault in Gelsenkirchen and stole tens of millions of euros worth of property...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker said he doubted Russia's allegation that Ukraine attacked President Vladimir...
BERN, Switzerland (ANI) January 2: At least forty people have been killed, and 119 others injured in a non-arson fire at the 'Le Constellation'...
ABUJA, Nigeria: Two people were killed in a car accident in Nigeria's Ogun State on December 29 that also injured British former world...
