The US operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife on Saturday has drawn sharp criticism from former Nigerian senator Shehu Sani, human rights activist Omoyele Sowore, and concern from the United Nations and multiple world leaders.
President Donald Trump claimed on Truth Social that US forces had executed a “large-scale strike” in Venezuela, seizing Maduro and his wife just two hours after explosions reportedly rocked the capital, Caracas.
“The United States of America has successfully carried out a large-scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolás Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the country,” Trump wrote.
Reacting, Shehu Sani strongly condemned the action, drawing comparisons to previous US military interventions:
“Mr. Trump condemned Bush for removing Saddam and Obama for removing Gaddafi; here he, acting without Congressional consent or approval, and without regard for international law and respect for the sovereignty of Venezuela, invaded Venezuela and removed their President. I would like history and posterity to record me as one who has unreservedly condemned this action that does not reflect the interests and wishes of the good people of the United States.”
Historical context highlights previous controversial US interventions: in 2003, President George W. Bush ordered the invasion of Iraq, resulting in Saddam Hussein’s capture near Tikrit and eventual execution in 2006.
Similarly, in 2011, President Barack Obama supported the NATO-led operation in Libya, leading to Muammar Gaddafi’s capture and death in Sirte.
Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore also criticized the Venezuelan operation, framing it as part of a “regime change agenda”:
“In light of the illegal regime change agenda pursued by the US President in Venezuela, and the kidnapping of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, the time has come to confront an uncomfortable truth.
The UN has devolved into a ceremonial tea party, impotent, compromised, and largely irrelevant. Its persistent failure to restrain unilateral aggression, war crimes, and abuses of power exposes a deep and incurable structural rot.”
Sowore argued that the UN should be replaced by “a truly credible coalition of nation-states designed to serve humanity, uphold justice, and prevent tyranny.”
Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed that he was “deeply alarmed” by the strikes. His spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, said the UN chief is concerned that international law has not been respected and called on “all actors in Venezuela to engage in inclusive dialogue, in full respect of human rights and the rule of law.”
Several countries, including Iran, Colombia, Cuba, Russia, Spain, Germany, Italy, and China, have condemned the alleged US operation, raising serious concerns over its international legality and precedent.
