Governments across the Caribbean, Latin America, Europe and beyond have issued urgent statements following attacks by the United States on Venezuela and the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, warning of regional destabilisation, breaches of international law and risks to civilian safety.
In Guyana, Prime Minister Dr Irfaan Ali moved swiftly to address national security concerns. In a social media post, his office said the president “met early this morning with the Defence Board, the National Security architecture, regional commanders, and other senior security officials, amid the ongoing situation in Venezuela”. The meeting underscored Guyana’s heightened alertness given its geographic proximity to Venezuela and existing regional tensions.
Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar sought to distance her country from the unfolding military action. In a statement issued on Saturday, she confirmed that “the United States commenced military operations within the territory of Venezuela”, but stressed that “Trinidad and Tobago is not a participant in any of these ongoing military operations” and that the country “continues to maintain peaceful relations with the people of Venezuela”.
Earlier this morning, Saturday 3rd January 2026, the United States commenced military operations within the territory of Venezuela.
Trinidad and Tobago is NOT a participant in any of these ongoing military operations.
Trinidad and Tobago continues to maintain peaceful relations…— Kamla Persad-Bissessar (@PM_Kamla) January 3, 2026
The response from Trinidad and Tobago’s Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles described the reports as “deeply troubling” and warned that any such developments in the Caribbean’s immediate vicinity were a matter of “serious concern for Trinidad and Tobago, CARICOM, and the wider Caribbean”. While noting that some information remained “unclear and unconfirmed”, she reaffirmed her party’s commitment to maintaining the Caribbean as a “Zone of Peace” and cautioned against actions that could “further destabilise the region and endanger civilian lives”. Beckles also raised concerns about the safety of Trinidad and Tobago nationals and diplomatic staff in Caracas, calling for restraint and dialogue.
Colombia’s president issued a warning on social media, stating: “OEA (Organisation of American States) and UN (United Nations) must meet immediately”.
In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia said, “This morning, the United States carried out an act of armed aggression against Venezuela,” describing the situation as “extremely concerning and deserving of condemnation”. Moscow argued that the justifications for the action had “no factual basis” and stressed that “Latin America must continue to remain a zone of peace”. Russia also confirmed that its embassy in Caracas remained operational and that there were “no reports of injuries among Russian citizens”.
European leaders emphasised international law and citizen safety. European Commission Vice-President Kaja Kallas said the EU was “closely monitoring the situation in Venezuela” and reiterated that “under all circumstances, the principles of international law and the UN Charter must be respected”. Belgium’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Maxime Prevot echoed these concerns, stating that “the safety of our citizens is a top priority”, while the Netherlands’ foreign minister David van Weel said the situation in Caracas remained “unclear” and that authorities were in close contact with diplomatic and defence officials.
European Council President António Costa said he was following developments “with great concern” and called for “de-escalation and a resolution in full respect of international law”. Spain also urged restraint, confirming that embassy and consular staff in Caracas were safe, and reiterated its willingness to support “a peaceful and negotiated solution”.
Mexico issued a firm condemnation, saying it “strongly condemns and rejects the military actions carried out unilaterally” by the United States and warning that any military action placed regional stability “at serious risk”. Mexico called on the United Nations to act immediately to help de-escalate tensions and facilitate dialogue.
From Caracas, Venezuela’s Executive Vice President Delcy Rodríguez rejected what she described as an “extremely serious military aggression”, calling it a “flagrant violation of the Charter of the United Nations”. She accused Washington of seeking to seize Venezuela’s strategic resources and vowed that such efforts “will fail”.
President of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, has condemned the United States bombings in Venezuela, maintaining his country’s opposition to the use of force in international conflicts.
In a statement on X, Silva said the bombings crossed “an unacceptable line.
“These acts represent a most serious affront to Venezuela’s sovereignty and yet another extremely dangerous precedent for the entire international community. The action recalls the worst moments of interference in the politics of Latin America and the Caribbean and threatens the preservation of the region as a zone of peace.
“Attacking countries, in flagrant violation of international law, is the first step toward a world of violence, chaos, and instability, where the law of the strongest prevails over multilateralism.”
Os bombardeios em território venezuelano e a captura do seu presidente ultrapassam uma linha inaceitável. Esses atos representam uma afronta gravíssima à soberania da Venezuela e mais um precedente extremamente perigoso para toda a comunidade internacional.
Atacar países, em…
— Lula (@LulaOficial) January 3, 2026
He requested the international community “respond vigorously” to the bombings, and added that Brazil “remains available to promote the path of dialogue and cooperation”.
In contrast, the United States defended its actions in legal terms. US Attorney General Pamela Bondi announced that “Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, have been indicted in the Southern District of New York”, adding that Maduro “has been charged with Narco-Terrorism Conspiracy” among other offences. She said the pair would “soon face the full wrath of American justice on American soil”, while praising what she described as a “highly successful mission”.
Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, have been indicted in the Southern District of New York. Nicolas Maduro has been charged with Narco-Terrorism Conspiracy, Cocaine Importation Conspiracy, Possession of Machineguns and Destructive Devices, and Conspiracy to Possess…
— Attorney General Pamela Bondi (@AGPamBondi) January 3, 2026
They might come and take rf soon