By: Nana Karikari, Senior Global Affairs Correspondent
The dramatic capture of President Nicolás Maduro by U.S. forces has triggered a seismic shift in global diplomacy, pitting Western support for regime change against a “Global South” coalition decrying the move as a return to imperialist aggression. From the halls of the United Nations to the African Union headquarters, world leaders are grappling with the legal and humanitarian fallout of Operation Absolute Resolve. As Maduro faces narco-terrorism charges in New York, the international community remains sharply divided over whether the raid represents a victory for justice or a fatal blow to the principle of national sovereignty.
African Union Denounces “Abduction”
The 55-member African Union (AU) issued a searing communiqué from Addis Ababa, characterizing the military raid as an “abduction” and a direct assault on international law. The bloc, sensitive to Africa’s history of colonial interventions, framed the incident as a violation of the UN Charter.
“The African Union is following with grave concern the recent developments… including reports of the abduction of the President of the Republic, Mr. Nicolás Maduro,” the AU Commission stated. The organization emphasized that Venezuela’s internal challenges can only be addressed through “inclusive political dialogue among Venezuelans themselves.”
The Final Ultimatum and Tactical Breach
Venezuela was not the only front in Washington’s holiday military activity. On Christmas Day, President Trump announced that he had ordered strikes on militants in Nigeria in response to the persecution of Christians. Despite these active operations, Trump signaled a message of
global calm during a New Year’s Eve party at Mar-a-Lago. Dressed in a tuxedo with First Lady Melania Trump at his side, he told reporters his 2026 resolution was simply, “Peace on Earth.”
However, secret planning for Venezuela continued. New details reveal Trump issued a final private ultimatum to Maduro a week prior to the raid. When Maduro refused to step down, the U.S. launched a high-risk operation involving 150 aircraft. Shortly after the mission, Trump posted: “The United States of America has successfully carried out a large-scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro, who has been… captured and flown out of the Country.” Following his capture, Maduro was flown to New York, where he is currently awaiting a Monday morning court appearance.
UN Warns of Dangerous Precedents
The diplomatic battleground now moves to New York, where Somalia—currently holding the rotating presidency of the UN Security Council—has scheduled an emergency session for Monday, January 5. UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed “deep alarm,” warning that the unilateral use of force sets a precedent that could destabilize other regions.
Legal scholars have noted that the raid likely violates Article 2(4) of the UN Charter, which prohibits the use of force against the territorial integrity of any state. “These developments constitute a dangerous precedent,” Guterres’ spokesperson said. “The Secretary-General continues to emphasize the importance of full respect—by all—of international law.”
The “Donroe Doctrine”: Justice, Oil, and Governance
Washington has characterized the operation as a necessary law enforcement action to dismantle a “narco-state.” U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi unsealed a superseding indictment charging Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores with Narco-Terrorism Conspiracy. “They will soon face the full wrath of American justice on American soil,” Bondi declared.
Beyond the criminal charges, President Trump has introduced the “Donroe Doctrine,” asserting absolute U.S. dominance in the Western Hemisphere and justifying direct intervention to secure resources. Trump confirmed that the U.S. would “run the country” temporarily to oversee a transition while simultaneously seizing control of Venezuela’s energy sector to reimburse the costs of the military operation. This “oil-for-reimbursement” strategy has sparked intense debate in Africa, where leaders fear a precedent for “resource-driven regime change.”
Geopolitical Fault Lines: A Polarized World
The international community is splintering over the legitimacy of the transition. While Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated Trump on “bold and historic leadership,” other leaders remain cautious. In Germany, Chancellor Friedrich Merz called the legal assessment of the strikes “complex,” noting that while Maduro led his country “into ruin,” political instability must be avoided. “The objective is an orderly transition to a government legitimized by elections,” Merz stated.
Russia and China have issued the harshest rebukes. Beijing described the raid as a “hegemonic act” that “seriously violates international law,” while Moscow condemned the “armed aggression.”
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha offered a more pointed defense of the ouster, stating, “The Maduro regime has violated all principles of democracy and human rights… The people of Venezuela must have a chance for a normal life.”
In sharp contrast, Colombian President Gustavo Petro alerted the world to the “missile” strikes on Caracas, calling the operation an “aggression against the sovereignty of Venezuela and Latin America.” Petro warned of an “escalation of tension in the region” and signaled a massive deployment of security forces to the border to prepare for a potential refugee influx.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized that “any solution must respect international law and the UN Charter,” while still affirming the EU’s support for a “peaceful and democratic transition.”
Domestically, U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called the move “reckless,” warning that military action without congressional authorization could lead to another “endless war” without congressional approval.
Defiance in Caracas: A Divided Nation
Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez has issued a fiery condemnation of the raid. Flanked by military leaders, Rodríguez described the capture as a “barbaric kidnapping” and demanded the immediate release of Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores. “There is only one president here, and that is Nicolás Maduro,” Rodríguez stated during a national broadcast. She accused the U.S. of seeking to “enslave” the nation and asserted that “Venezuela will never again be a colony of any empire.”
Following The Venezuelan Supreme Court order on Saturday night, Rodríguez has officially assumed the powers of Acting President to ensure “guarantee the comprehensive defense of the nation.”
Conversely, opposition leader and Nobel Laureate María Corina Machado celebrated the move from a secret location. “The hour of freedom has arrived!” Machado declared, calling for the immediate recognition of Edmundo González Urrutia as the legitimate leader.
Britain and Allies Navigate Fallout
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer clarified that the United Kingdom was not involved in the operation but signaled that London would not defend the ousted leader. While initially cautious, Starmer later affirmed the UK’s long-standing view of the Maduro administration’s lack of legitimacy.
“We regarded Maduro as an illegitimate President and we shed no tears about the end of his regime,” Starmer said. Meanwhile, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage offered a more pragmatic defense of the raid: “The American actions in Venezuela overnight are unorthodox and contrary to international law—but if they make China and Russia think twice, it may be a good thing.”
South Africa Calls for Global Accountability
South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) joined the AU in condemning the “unlawful, unilateral force.” Pretoria has urged the UN Security Council to convene immediately, arguing that the invasion erodes the principle of equality among nations.
“Unlawful, unilateral force of this nature undermines the stability of the international order and the principle of equality among nations,” the South African government stated. Minister Naledi Pandor added that the UN Charter “does not authorize external military intervention in matters that are essentially within the domestic jurisdiction of a sovereign nation.”
Latin American Leaders Decry Gunboat Diplomacy
Across Latin America, the reaction has been marked by shock and historical apprehension. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva condemned the capture as crossing “an unacceptable line,” warning that “the law of the strongest” was prevailing over multilateralism. In Mexico, President Claudia Sheinbaum shared excerpts of the UN Charter on social media to highlight the violation of territorial integrity.
“The Members of the Organization… shall refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State,” Sheinbaum’s office shared. Critics in the region, including senior Mexican officials, have suggested the intervention was motivated by a desire to “steal” Venezuela’s vast oil deposits rather than humanitarian concerns.
A World at a Crossroads
The capture of Nicolás Maduro has done more than just remove a leader; it has shattered the long-standing norms of 21st-century diplomacy. As the world watches a former head of state be “perp-walked” in New York, the fundamental question remains: does the pursuit of justice for criminal allegations justify the dismantling of national sovereignty? For the Global South, the “Donroe Doctrine” represents a terrifying revival of interventionism. For Washington and its allies, it is a necessary—if unorthodox—cleaning of the house. The coming days at the UN Security Council will likely define whether the world returns to a “law of the jungle” or finds a new path for international order.
