The capture of Venezuela's leader, Nicolás Maduro, and his wife during U.S. military strikes ordered by President Trump sparked reaction from leaders around the world.

Many U.S. adversaries, including some of Venezuela's nearest neighbors, condemned the strikes, while other governments around the world called for de-escalation and voiced concern for their citizens in the Latin American nation.

Latin American reaction

Colombia, which shares a border with Venezuela, called for urgent de-escalation. It said it had "implemented steps to protect the civilian population, preserve stability on the Colombian-Venezuelan border, and promptly address any potential humanitarian or migration needs."

After Mr. Trump said Sunday he felt Colombian President Gustavo Petro is "not going to be doing it for very long," Petro said on Monday he would "take up arms."

"I swore never to touch a weapon again since the peace pact of 1989 but for the homeland I would take up arms that I don't want," Petro said on X.

Mr. Trump said Sunday that Colombia is "very sick too, run by a very sick man."

Asked if he would carry out a military operation there, Mr. Trump responded, "Sounds good to me."

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel called the operation a "criminal US attack." He said the country denounced the attack and called for an "URGENT reaction from the international community." 

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva called the U.S. actions a "serious affront" to Venezuela's sovereignty, the AFP news agency reported. He said the strikes and capture of Maduro "cross an unacceptable line" and threaten "the preservation of the region as a zone of peace," according to AFP.

U.N. chief concerned about aftermath of Venezuela operation

U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres told an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council on Monday that he's concerned about the aftermath of the U.S. operation in Venezuela.

"I am deeply concerned about the possible intensification of instability in the country, the potential impact on the region, and the precedent it may set for how relations between and among states are conducted," Guterres said in a statement to the Security Council.

Guterres also said he was concerned that the rules of international law "have not been respected." He said it was still possible to prevent "a wider and more destructive conflagration."

"I call on all Venezuelan actors to engage in an inclusive, democratic dialogue in which all sectors of society can determine their future," Guterres said. 

France says U.S. operation "neither supported nor approved"

French President Emmanuel Macron said Monday he "neither supported nor approved" the U.S. operation after initially saying on social media Venezuelans "can only rejoice" at Maduro's ouster.

AFP reported government spokeswoman Maud Bregeon said Monday that Macron told his Cabinet, "We defend international law and the freedom of peoples. The method employed is neither supported nor approved."

Macron also said that if a transition takes place in Venezuela, "then the 2024 winner must obviously play a central role in it," referring to Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, the candidate in last year's presidential election who was widely considered to have won the race.

France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot told the French television channel France 2 that Maduro's departure "is good news for the Venezuelans" and described him as "an unscrupulous dictator who confiscated Venezuelans' freedom and stole their elections," the Associated Press reported. 

"Then, yes, we pointed out that the method used infringes the principles of international law," Barrot said of the U.S. military operation, according to the AP. He called for a peaceful and democratic transition of power in Venezuela.

China says it wants Maduro freed immediately

The Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a statement Sunday that it "calls on the U.S. to ensure the personal safety of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, release them at once, (and) stop toppling the government of Venezuela," according to AFP.

Beijing also depicted the U.S. strike that captured Maduro as a "clear violation of international law."

Early Saturday, China had said it "strongly condemns" the U.S. operation.

Iran and Russia condemn U.S. action in Venezuela

Iran also condemned the attack, calling it a "flagrant violation of the national sovereignty and territorial integrity" of Venezuela, AFP reported. Mr. Trump recently responded to reports that at least eight people have been killed amid nearly a week of escalating protests in Iran by warning the Middle Eastern country that the U.S. was "locked and loaded and ready to go."  

Russia's Foreign Ministry accused the U.S. of "an act of armed aggression against Venezuela. This is deeply concerning and condemnable" in a statement, according to the Reuters news agency.

"The pretexts used to justify such actions are unfounded. Ideological animosity has prevailed over business pragmatism and the willingness to build relationships based on trust and predictability," the statement said. "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."

The Russian government called for Venezuela to "be guaranteed the right to determine its own destiny without any destructive, let alone military, interference from outside," and backed other calls for an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council.

North Korea condemns U.S. operation

North Korea on Sunday denounced the United States' capture of Maduro as a "serious encroachment of sovereignty."

Pyongyang's Foreign Ministry "strongly denounces the U.S. hegemony-seeking act committed in Venezuela," said a ministry spokesperson in a statement carried by official state news agency KCNA, referring to what it was characterizing as a U.S. drive for dominance.

"The incident is another example that clearly confirms once again the rogue and brutal nature of the US," they added.

European nations call for de-escalation, voice concern over nationals in Venezuela

Top European Union diplomat Kaja Kallas said that she had spoken to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the EU's ambassador in Caracas. She said the EU is "closely monitoring the situation" and noted that it has "repeatedly stated that Mr. Maduro lacks legitimacy."

"Under all circumstances, the principles of international law and the UN Charter must be respected," Kallas wrote. "We call for restraint. The safety of EU citizens in the country is our top priority."

European nations, including Italy and Belgium, said their citizens' safety was their top priority, and that they were monitoring the situation.

Spain's Foreign Ministry issued a statement calling for "de-escalation and moderation, and for action to always be taken in accordance with international law and the principles of the U.N. Charter," according to Reuters.

The Spanish ministry added an offer to help mediate "to achieve a peaceful and negotiated solution to the current crisis."

U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Saturday all countries should "uphold international law" and added that the "U.K. was not involved in any way in this operation." He urged patience in order to "establish the facts."

"I want to speak to President Trump, I want to speak to allies," the British leader said in brief comments aired on U.K. television hours after the U.S. attack. "I can be absolutely clear that we were not involved in that. And as you know, I always say and believe we should all uphold international law."

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said in a statement Saturday that Maduro led Venezuela to disaster and noted that Germany, like many other countries, didn't recognize his presidency after the South American nation's last election.

Merz said a legal classification of the U.S. intervention is "complex" and "we will take time" on the matter.

He said political instability must not arise in Venezuela now and that it's important to ensure "an orderly transition to a government legitimized by elections."

Netanyahu praises Trump

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Mr. Trump for his "bold and historic leadership on behalf of freedom and justice."

"I salute your decisive resolve and the brilliant action of your brave soldiers," he wrote on social media Saturday.

Before a Cabinet meeting on Sunday, Netanyahu weighed in again, saying he wishes "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."