Updated on: Jan 04, 2026 7:01:37 PM IST
US attacks Venezuela LIVE: This screengrab shows Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro (C) escorted by DEA agents inside the headquarters of the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in lower Manhattan, New York, on January 3, 2026.
US attacks Venezuela LIVE: Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was “captured” along with his wife by the US forces on Saturday and was brought to the New York city where he will face criminal charges. Meanwhile, United States President Donald Trump announced that till a power transition happens in the South American nation, the US will “run” Venezuela.
“We’re going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper, and judicious transition,” he said.
In the absence of Maduro, Venezuela’s Supreme Court ordered the country’s Vice President Delcy Rodríguez to take on as the acting president of the country. The ruling said the court would further deliberate to “determine the applicable legal framework to guarantee the continuity of the State, the administration of government, and the defense of sovereignty in the face of the forced absence of the President of the Republic,” reported news agency Reuters.
US faces heat over operation in Venezuela
Several nations across the world, including China, Russia, and others condemned the US’ military operation in Venezuela which happened on Saturday and expressed support for Venezuela.
China said that it is “deeply shocked and strongly condemns the use of force by the US against a sovereign country and the use of force against the president of a country”
Russia’s foreign ministry called US’ action “an act of armed aggression against Venezuela” which is “deeply concerning and condemnable”.
“In the current situation, it is important, first and foremost, to prevent further escalation and to focus on finding a way out of the situation through dialogue,” said Russia’s foreign ministry.
Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said, “The bombings on Venezuelan territory and the capture of its president cross an unacceptable line. These acts represent a grave affront to Venezuela’s sovereignty and yet another extremely dangerous precedent for the entire international community.”
How India reacted
Reacting to the US strikes on Venezuela, India expressed “deep concern” over the action and called on all parties to address issues peacefully through dialogue to ensure stability in the region.
“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,” read the statement by India’s external affairs ministry.
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“We’re going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper, and judicious transition,” he said.
In the absence of Maduro, Venezuela’s Supreme Court ordered the country’s Vice President Delcy Rodríguez to take on as the acting president of the country. The ruling said the court would further deliberate to “determine the applicable legal framework to guarantee the continuity of the State, the administration of government, and the defense of sovereignty in the face of the forced absence of the President of the Republic,” reported news agency Reuters.
US faces heat over operation in Venezuela
Several nations across the world, including China, Russia, and others condemned the US’ military operation in Venezuela which happened on Saturday and expressed support for Venezuela.
China said that it is “deeply shocked and strongly condemns the use of force by the US against a sovereign country and the use of force against the president of a country”
Russia’s foreign ministry called US’ action “an act of armed aggression against Venezuela” which is “deeply concerning and condemnable”.
“In the current situation, it is important, first and foremost, to prevent further escalation and to focus on finding a way out of the situation through dialogue,” said Russia’s foreign ministry.
Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said, “The bombings on Venezuelan territory and the capture of its president cross an unacceptable line. These acts represent a grave affront to Venezuela’s sovereignty and yet another extremely dangerous precedent for the entire international community.”
How India reacted
Reacting to the US strikes on Venezuela, India expressed “deep concern” over the action and called on all parties to address issues peacefully through dialogue to ensure stability in the region.
“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,” read the statement by India’s external affairs ministry.
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Jan 04, 2026 7:01:34 PM IST
US strikes on Venezuela LIVE: ‘Freedom of all political prisoners our priority’: Venezuela’s Machado urges support
US strikes on Venezuela LIVE: “Thank you very much, President Macron. The freedom of ALL political prisoners is our immediate priority. I ask the heads of State and Government and all the democrats of the world to support us in this decisive hour. Venezuela will be free,” Machado said.
Jan 04, 2026 6:57:01 PM IST
US strikes on Venezuela LIVE: Spain condemns violation of international law in Venezuela
US strikes on Venezuela LIVE: Spain condemned what it described as a violation of international law in Venezuela.
Sánchez’s remarks went further than his comments a day earlier, when he said Spain would not recognise the intervention.
In the letter, Sánchez said the government “strongly condemns the violation of international law in Venezuela,” underscoring Spain’s opposition to the operation.
Jan 04, 2026 6:41:16 PM IST
US strikes on Venezuela LIVE: How Singapore reacted to US’ military action in Venezuela
US strikes on Venezuela LIVE: Singapore on Sunday expressed concern over the US intervention in Venezuela and called for the parties to exercise restraint and come to a peaceful resolution.
“Singapore is gravely concerned by the US intervention on 3 January 2026 in Venezuela. Singapore is deeply committed to international law and the principles of the UN Charter that safeguard the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states, especially small states. Singapore has consistently opposed actions contrary to international law by any parties, including foreign military intervention in any country,” an official statement issued by the MFA read, reported news agency ANI.
Jan 04, 2026 6:29:04 PM IST
US strikes on Venezuela LIVE: Netanyahu expresses support for US’ ‘strong action’ in Venezuela
US strikes on Venezuela LIVE: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that Israel supported the United States’ “strong action” in Venezuela, one day after American forces captured its leader Nicolas Maduro in a military operation.
“Regarding Venezuela, I wish to express the support of the entire government for the resolute decision and strong action of the United States to restore freedom and justice to that region of the world,” Netanyahu said at the opening of a cabinet meeting. (AFP)
Jan 04, 2026 6:18:49 PM IST
US strikes on Venezuela LIVE: ‘UN Charter is not optional’- UNGA president on Venezuela crisis
US strikes on Venezuela LIVE: Reacting to the US’ actions in Venezuela, United Nations General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock said that the UN Charter is not optional. “It is our guiding framework, in moments of calm and in times of crisis, like in Venezuela today, culiminating with the United States military action,” she said.
“Article 2 of the UN Charter clearly stipulates that all Members of the United Nations shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the purposes of the United Nations. Respect of the UN Charter and international law is the foundation of the international order,” she wrote in a post on X.
“A peaceful, safe and just world for everyone is only possible if the rule of law prevails instead of might makes right. And if human rights including those of the Venezuelan people prevail over human rights violations,” she added.
Jan 04, 2026 6:05:25 PM IST
US strikes on Venezuela LIVE: Why is the US interested in Venezuelan oil? Explained
US strikes on Venezuela LIVE: US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that Washington plans to take control of Venezuela’s vast oil reserves and recruit American companies to invest billions of dollars to revive the country’s battered oil industry.
Venezuela holds an estimated 303 billion barrels of crude—around one-fifth of global oil reserves—according to the US Energy Information Administration.
A US-led overhaul could turn Venezuela into a significantly larger oil supplier, opening opportunities for Western energy firms and adding a new source of production to global markets.
Jan 04, 2026 5:45:47 PM IST
US strikes on Venezuela LIVE: Maduro faces indictment in US
US strikes on Venezuela LIVE: Nicolas Maduro and other Venezuelan officials were indicted in 2020 on narco-terrorism conspiracy charges, and the Justice Department released a new indictment Saturday of Maduro and his wife that painted his administration as a “corrupt, illegitimate government” fueled by a drug-trafficking operation that flooded the U.S with cocaine. The U.S. government does not recognize Maduro as the country’s leader. (AP)
Jan 04, 2026 5:36:40 PM IST
US strikes on Venezuela LIVE: Trump says US will ‘run Venezuela till power transition
US strikes on Venezuela LIVE: After “capturing” Maduro and his wife, Trump said on Saturday that the United States would be “very much” involved in the power transition in Venezuela. He added that till that happens, the US will “run” the South American nation.
“We’re going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition,” Trump said at a news conference at Mar-a-Lago.
He added that this “extremely successful operation should serve as warning to anyone who would threaten American sovereignty or endanger American lives.”
Jan 04, 2026 5:29:10 PM IST
US strikes on Venezuela LIVE: India expresses ‘deep concern’ over situation in Venezuela
US strikes on Venezuela LIVE: In its first formal reaction to the US military’s action in Venezuela, India on Sunday expressed “deep concern” over the situation and called for resolution through dialogue.
“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 MEA said in a statement.
Jan 04, 2026 5:23:21 PM IST
US attacks Venezuela LIVE: How North Korea reacted to US action in Venezuela
US attacks Venezuela LIVE: While reacting to the US’ military action against Venezuela, North Korea on Sunday said the strikes are the “most serious form of encroachment of sovereignty”.
North Korea said it is paying attention to the gravity of the present Venezuelan situation caused by the US “high-handedness act,” news agency Reuters reported.
Jan 04, 2026 5:20:51 PM IST
US attacks Venezuela LIVE: Pope Leo says ‘Venezuelan people’s welfare must prevail over all’
US attacks Venezuela LIVE: Reacting to the situation in Venezuela, Pope Leo XIV, the first US pope, said on Sunday that the welfare of the people of the South American nation must prevail over all other considerations and that country’s sovereignty should be guaranteed.
After his Angelus prayer in St Peter’s Square, Pope Leo addressed the crowd and said that “the welfare of the beloved Venezuelan people must prevail over all other considerations”.
That must “lead to overcoming violence and embarking on paths of justice and peace, guaranteeing the sovereignty of the country, ensuring the rule of law enshrined in the Constitution, respecting the human and civil rights of each and every person, and working together to build a peaceful future of collaboration, stability, and harmony, with special attention to the poorest who are suffering because of the difficult economic situation”, he added, reported news agency Reuters.
