Venezuela-US tensions: 40 killed in US attack on Venezuela, says report; Trump warns Colombia

Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday clarified that "US will not govern Venezuela." 

Venezuela’s Defence Minister announced on Sunday that the country’s armed forces have been fully mobilized in response to the dramatic US military operation that led to the capture of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. The minister said that the activation of forces was necessary "to guarantee the sovereignty" of the nation. 

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has expressed deep concern over the recent US military strikes on Venezuela, calling them a serious violation of international law. In a statement, Ibrahim said, “I have followed developments in Venezuela with grave concern,” stressing that the detention of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, during the large-scale operation was an unlawful use of force. The Prime Minister urged the immediate release of Maduro and Flores, condemning the actions as a breach of Venezuela’s sovereignty and an unjustifiable escalation of conflict.

The United Nations Security Council will convene for an emergency meeting to discuss the situation in Venezuela following a US military operation and the reported capture of President Nicolás Maduro. 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has congratulated the United States and President Donald Trump on the recent strike in Venezuela, expressing strong support for decisive action. In his statement, Netanyahu said that Israel stands with the Iranian people in their fight for freedom and against oppressive regimes. He reiterated Israel's commitment to supporting efforts aimed at combating authoritarianism and ensuring the protection of human rights worldwide.

"Congratulations, President Trump for your bold and historic leadership on behalf of freedom and justice. I salute your decisive resolve and the brilliant action of your brave soldiers," he wrote. 

Reacting to the ongoing crisis in Venezuela, Pope Leo XIV, the first US-born pope, spoke out on Sunday, emphasizing that the welfare of the Venezuelan people must be the top priority. After his Angelus prayer in St. Peter's Square, the Pope addressed the crowd, stressing that "the welfare of the beloved Venezuelan people must prevail over all other considerations."

A senior Venezuelan official quoted by a news report, speaking on the condition of anonymity, confirmed that at least 40 people were killed in a US airstrike on Venezuela early Saturday. 

North Korea came down heavily on the recent US strikes on Venezuela, calling them "the most serious violation of sovereignty," according to a statement from the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on Sunday. The country’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson condemned the strikes, labeling them as further evidence of the United States’ "rogue and brutal nature." KCNA argued that the incident highlighted Washington's ongoing aggressive conduct on the global stage.

The White House has released a video mocking Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro just a day after his "capture" by US forces and subsequent transfer to New York. The video features blurred footage of Maduro interspersed with a press conference detailing the operation. As the video plays, subtitles appear, including taunts like “Come get me,” “I'll wait for him here in Minaflores,” and “Coward!” 

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said that Ukraine has consistently defended the right of nations to live freely, without dictatorship, oppression, or human rights violations. In his statement, Sybiha specifically called out Nicolas Maduro, stating that the Maduro regime had violated these fundamental principles "in every respect." He went on to express Ukraine's support for further developments in Venezuela that align with international law, prioritizing democracy, human rights, and the interests of the Venezuelan people.

The United States carried out a "large-scale strike" early Saturday on Venezuela, capturing President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, and spiriting them out of the country after months of intense pressure on the Maduro government. Now, the Supreme Court of Venezuela has appointed Vice President Delcy Rodríguez as the interim president of the nation, an official statement confirmed. Here is all you need to know about her. Click here to read more.

The CPI on Sunday held a protest against the US over its attack on Venezuela in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh.

India on Sunday expressed concerns over the situation in Venezuela following strikes by the United States (US) and called upon the two sides to resolve the issues peacefully through dialogue to ensure 'peace and stability' in the region. In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the Indian Embassy in contact is also in contact with the Indian community in Venezuela and will continue to provide them all the necessary assistance. Click here to read more.

 CPI(M) leader MA Baby hits out at the Indian government over the Venezuela attack. "It is unfortunate that the Government of India is not openly condemning USA's attack on Venezuela," he said.

"This is not the occasion for this. The question is about Venezuela. This is the kind of bullying we used to see in feudal societies. You attacked a country without any provocation... The truth is, this is an open attack against a sovereign nation, and the whole world should be concerned about this because no international law permits this... In 1952, 1954, and 1957, whenever something happened in the world, we weren't as prosperous then, but we firmly stated our position... Regardless of which government was in power, our foreign policy never equivocated on these matters," Jha said.

The recent developments in Venezuela are a matter of deep concern. We are closely monitoring the evolving situation. India reaffirms its support to the well-being and safety of the people of Venezuela. We call upon all concerned to address issues peacefully through dialogue, ensuring peace and stability of the region. The Embassy of India in Caracas is in contact with members of the Indian community and will continue to provide all possible assistance: MEA

China on Sunday that the US should immediately release Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and stop toppling his government. It said that the two sides should resolve all issues through dialogue and negotiation.  

"America's attack on Venezuela and the capture and abduction of Maduro is unprecedented and has never happened before. The kind of military operation carried out by America is a spectacular success executed flawlessly. Trump is not positioning this as a military attack on Venezuela but as a law enforcement action of America going to a country and capturing a criminal... For Trump to attack a country, it is necessary for the US Congress to give approval. In this case, he has not taken any approval from the US Congress because he is positioning it as a step by the law enforcement agencies to bring back a criminal drug trafficker. Maduro will face charges in New York. His wife has also been abducted. The reason for abducting his wife is that she is also a member of Parliamnet of Venezuela. She is a smart lady and is the brains behind Maduro," he said.

After the US struck Venezuela, AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi has requested PM Modi to ensure bring the masterminds of Mumbai terror attacks from Pakistan to India. 

"If US President Donald Trump can abduct Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro from his own country, then you (Prime Minister Modi) can also go to Pakistan and bring back the mastermind of the 26/11 terrorist attacks to India," he said on Saturday.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said on Sunday that it is all about 'might is right', as he criticised the US strikes on Venezuela, capturing its President Nicolas Maduro.

"International law and the UN Charter have for some years now been honoured in the breach. The Law of the Jungle prevails today. 'Might is Right' is the new creed," he Xed. 

The tensions between the United States (US) and Venezuela had been soaring since long and reached an all-time high, with the former conducting multiple strikes in the latter's capital, Caracas, killing at least 40 people and capturing Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. US President Donald Trump justified the strikes, accusing Maduro of supporting narco-terrorism. The 79-year-old Republican president said Maduro, who was brought to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) office in New York on Saturday, will face trials in the US. He also said that US companies will move to Venezuela, which has the world's largest oil reserves, and Washington will run the Latin American country until a new government takes charge. Click here to read more.

The US military operation that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro early Saturday also caused widespread travel disruptions in the Caribbean, with no flights crossing Venezuelan airspace and hundreds of eastern Caribbean flights cancelled. The FAA restrictions have prompted airlines to warn that delays could continue for several days.

A video has gone viral in which Maduro could be seen being taken to the DEA office in New York. In the video, he could be heard saying, "Good night, happy New Year."

According to the Article 2(4) of the UN Charter, all member states should "refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state". With Venezuela being a member of the UN, US strikes on Caracas cannot be justified and are illegal. 

US Vice President JD Vance said on Saturday that the US had reached out to Venezuela for a settlement, Nicolas Maduro's government had ignored all such offers.

"The president offered multiple off ramps, but was very clear throughout this process: the drug trafficking must stop, and the stolen oil must be returned to the United States. You don't get to avoid justice for drug trafficking in the United States because you live in a palace in Caracas," he posted on X.

US President Donald Trump has warned his Colombian counterpart Gustavo Petro and asked him to "watch his a**", a day after his forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. 

"He's making cocaine and they're sending it into the United States, so he does have to watch his a**," Trump said.  

US President Donald Trump said that several Cubans were killed during strikes on Venezuela, as they were trying to protect Nicolas Maduro. 

"Many Cubans lost their lives. They were protecting Maduro. That was not a good move," he told The New York Post. "Cuba was always very reliant on Venezuela. That's where they got their money, and they protected Venezuela, but that didn't work out too well in this case."

Following months of tensions and speculations, the United States (US) on Saturday struck Venezuela and captured its President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores, before moving them out of the country to New York. President Donald Trump accused Maduro of running 'narcotic' regime and said that the Venezuelan president will face trial in a court in the US. Click here to read more.

At least people, including civilians, were killed in US strikes on Venezuela on Saturday, said a Caracas official, as quoted by The New York Times (NYT).

UK PM Keir Starmer said on Saturday that his country was not involved in the US military operation in Venezuela. He also said that the UK's priority is to ensure the safety of 500 British nationals in Venezuela. 

"It's obviously a fast-moving situation. We need to establish all the facts. I can confirm that the UK was not involved in this operation. As you expect, we're focusing on British nationals in Venezuela and working very closely with our embassy. I want to speak with the President and allies, but for now, I think we need to establish the facts. I think President Trump is doing a press conference later, so hopefully more information will come out then," he posted on X.

"Donald Trump’s actions in Venezuela do not make America safer, stronger, or more affordable. That Maduro is a brutal, illegitimate dictator does not change the fact that this action was both unlawful and unwise. We’ve seen this movie before. Wars for regime change or oil that are sold as strength but turn into chaos, and American families pay the price.

The American people do not want this, and they are tired of being lied to. This is not about drugs or democracy. It is about oil and Donald Trump’s desire to play the regional strongman. If he cared about either, he wouldn’t pardon a convicted drug trafficker or sideline Venezuela’s legitimate opposition while pursuing deals with Maduro’s cronies.

"The President is putting troops at risk, spending billions, destabilizing a region, and offering no legal authority, no exit plan, and no benefit at home. America needs leadership whose priorities are lowering costs for working families, enforcing the rule of law, strengthening alliances, and — most importantly — putting the American people first," Harris wrote on X.

The US carried out a 'large-scale strike' early Saturday on Venezuela. The stated reasons behind the attack are migration, drugs, and 'narco-terrorism'. Donald Trump has associated Venezuela to the arrival of many migrants at the US southern border. He also alleged Venezuela for major transit point for drugs and a contributor to the US fentanyl crisis.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was on Sunday brought to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) cell in New York, a day after his capture by the US forces.

New York City Mayor Zohram Mamdani has criticised the operation to capture Maduro and called it an "act of war" and a "violation of international law".

"I was briefed this morning on the U.S. military capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, as well as their planned imprisonment in federal custody here in New York City. Unilaterally attacking a sovereign nation is an act of war and a violation of federal and international law," he posted on X.

India has issued advisory in view of US striking Venezuela and urged citizens to avoid all non-essential travel to the Latin American country.

"In view of recent developments in Venezuela, Indian nationals are strongly advised to avoid all non-essential travel to Venezuela. All Indians who are in Venezuela for any reason are advised to exercise extreme caution, restrict their movements, and remain in contact with the Embassy of India in Caracas," the advisory read.

The Venezuelan Supreme Court has named Vice President Delcy Rodríguez as the interim president of Venezuela. This comes hours after the capture of Nicolas Maduro by the US forces.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and wife Cilia Flores have been brought to the Metropolitan Detention Center in New York, where they will face charges, said US President Donald Trump at a press conference from his Florida mansion.