What happens next for Venezuela after Maduro’s arrest?
USA TODAY White House correspondent Francesca Chambers takes a closer look at what’s next for Venezuela after the U.S. capture of Nicolas Maduro.
Since the January 3 attack, the Trump administration’s detention of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has received mixed reviews on the world stage, as heads of countries have begun to come forward.
China was among several countries that condemned the U.S. actions, but others responded with messages of support or appeared to be struggling to find the right words to describe the extraordinary use of force against a sovereign nation and its president.
Speaking in Beijing on January 5, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi accused the United States of acting like a “judge of the world” by detaining the Venezuelan leader and putting him on trial in New York.
“The sovereignty and security of all countries should be fully protected in accordance with international law,” Wang added.
Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian said in a separate press conference on January 5 that China continues to maintain “positive communication and cooperation” with the Venezuelan government.
In Moscow, Russia’s Foreign Ministry said Maduro’s detention was an “unacceptable violation of the sovereignty of an independent state” and accused the United States of committing an “act of armed aggression.”
There was also strong condemnation from Iran, with President Trump threatening to intervene if authorities in Tehran kill more protesters who took to the streets during recent nationwide protests. Iran called the U.S. operation to detain Maduro and his wife on narco-terrorism charges and ship them blindfolded to New York as a “clear violation of national sovereignty.”
On January 5, President Maduro pleaded “not guilty” to US drug trafficking charges in federal court.
Many Latin American leaders also criticized the operation against Venezuela.
Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Uruguay said in a joint statement: “We express our deep concern and rejection of the military action carried out unilaterally on the territory of Venezuela in violation of the fundamental principles of international law.” “Such actions not only endanger civilians, but also set an extremely dangerous precedent for regional peace and security and the rules-based international order.”
The U.S. seizure of the Maduros raises thorny legal questions about whether it violates international law governing the use of force against other countries and their leaders.
Still, there were some things that seemed to be strongly supporting this strategy.
“Freedom marches forward” and “Long live freedom,” Argentine President Javier Millay, a Trump ally, wrote on social media. And in Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised President Trump’s “bold and historic leadership on behalf of freedom and justice.”
“I salute your resolute determination and the outstanding actions of your brave soldiers,” Prime Minister Netanyahu said.
European leaders appear to be using more ambiguous language, avoiding sticking to one side or the other.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in a statement: “First I want to set the facts straight. I want to speak to President Trump. I also want to speak to our allies.” “I always say and I believe that we should all abide by international law.”
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the legal assessment of the U.S. operation was complex and that the assessment would “take time.”
“We must ensure a transition to an elected and legitimate government,” he said.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said in a post on social media X that Spain “does not recognize the Maduro regime. But we also do not recognize interventions that violate international law and push the region into the horizon of uncertainty and militancy.”
