Sputnik: The U.S. aggression against Venezuela. Chronicle

Venezuela Vows to Defend Itself Using All Mechanisms After US Attack - Foreign Minister

Venezuela will assert its right to self-defense across all international platforms amid the US strikes, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil Pinto said.

"Venezuela will exercise its right to defense on all international platforms, in all international forums, using all possible mechanisms for this," Gil said.

US Strikes Hit Caracas, Miranda, Aragua, La Guaira - Venezuelan Defense Minister

US strikes on Venezuelan territory have affected the capital, the states of Miranda and Aragua, and several other locations across the country, Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez said.

"At this time, the barbarity of the invading forces has desecrated our sacred land in Fuerte Tiuna, Caracas, the states of Miranda and Aragua, and La Guaria," Lopez said in a video address published on social media.

Venezuelan authorities are investigating reports of possible civilian casualties following the US attacks, Lopez said.

"The National Bolivarian Armed Forces inform the international community that, in the early hours of today, January 3, the Venezuelan people became the target of the most criminal military aggression ever carried out by the government of the United States of North America… We are currently gathering information on the wounded and the deceased," the minister said.

The US attack on Venezuela is vile and cowardly and threatens regional peace, Lopez noted.

"Faced with this vile and cowardly attack, which endangers peace and stability in the region, we issue our strongest condemnation," Lopez said.

Venezuela will not yield to US strikes and will prevail, Lopez said.

"We have been attacked, but we will not bend… Together, soldiers and people, we will form an unbreakable wall of resistance. Victory is ours, because reason and dignity are on our side - we will prevail," Lopez said.

Lopez urged citizens to avoid panic and anarchy.

"Let us not succumb to the panic the enemy seeks to sow. Let us avoid panic and anarchy - weapons as deadly as bombs themselves," Lopez said.

US Attack Kills Officials, Troops, Civilians - Venezuelan Vice President

The US attack has killed officials, military personnel, and civilians, Vice President Delcy Rodriguez said.

"We condemn this brutal aggression that claimed the lives of officials, military personnel and innocent Venezuelans," Rodriguez said.

Venezuela Invokes UN Self-Defense Right Against US Aggression – Foreign Ministry

Caracas reserves its right to legitimate self-defense to safeguard its people, territory, and sovereignty, the Venezuelan Foreign Ministry said.

"In line with Article 51 of the UN Charter, Venezuela reserves the right to self-defense to protect its people, territory, and independence. We urge the peoples and governments of Latin America, the Caribbean region, and the entire world to show active solidarity against this imperialist aggression," the statement read.

US Attack on Caracas Breaches All International Pacts - Venezuelan Attorney General

The US attack on Caracas breaches every international agreement, Venezuelan Attorney General Tarek William Saab said.

"I believe this [US attack] violates all international agreements," Saab said.

The attorney general strongly condemned the attack carried out against civilian targets.

"I demand not just proof that [Venezuelan President Nicolas] Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores are alive, but also hold them accountable for anything that may happen to our president," he said.

Saab called the situation with Maduro and his wife a kidnapping, urging an immediate halt to such actions.

"I call on the UN to speak out, where are the international human rights organizations? Let them speak out on these attacks, which led to innocent victims, and on the abduction of Maduro and his wife," he said.

Caracas Mayor Slams US Attack on Venezuela as Fascist, Criminal

Caracas Mayor Carmen Melendez called the US attack on Venezuela criminal and fascist, urging maximum popular mobilization to defend the country.

"Calmness and prudence, nerves of steel, maximum popular mobilization. We resolutely reject the criminal, vile and fascist attack of Yankee imperialism on our homeland," Melendez said.

Senate Armed Services Committee Not Briefed on Venezuela Operations – Reports

The US Senate Armed Services Committee was not briefed in advance on potential military action in Venezuela, CNN reported, citing a source familiar with the matter.

Officials in US President Donald Trump's administration declined to commit to informing the relevant congressional committees before any potential ground operations in Venezuela, even though several lawmakers had urged advance notification of such steps, the report said.

Trump Confirms Strikes on Venezuela, Says Maduro and His Wife Captured

The United States has successfully launched a "large scale strike" on Venezuela, US President Donald Trump said.

"The United States of America has successfully carried out a large scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro," Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Maduro and his wife have been captured and removed from the country, the US president said.

"There will be a News Conference today at 11 A.M. [16:00 GMT], at Mar-a-Lago," he said.

Trump said he would outline his position on further steps towards Venezuela at the upcoming press conference.

Rubio Sees No Further US Action Against Venezuela – Senator

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expects no additional US actions against Venezuela, US Senator Mike Lee said.

"He [Rubio] anticipates no further action in Venezuela now that Maduro is in U.S. custody," Lee said.

Lee made the statement following a phone call with Rubio.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro will stand trial in the United States on criminal charges, Republican Senator Mike Lee also said, citing US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

"Just got off the phone with Rubio. He informed me that Nicolas Maduro has been arrested by U.S. personnel to stand trial on criminal charges in the United States," Lee said.

The US strikes protected the forces detaining Maduro under a court warrant, the senator added.

Brazil Condemns US Military Aggression Against Venezuela - Venezuelan Foreign Minister

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil said on Saturday that he spoke by phone with his Brazilian counterpart Mauro Vieira, who firmly condemned the US military aggression against Venezuela.

"I spoke with Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira, who expressed strong condemnation of this unprecedented act of criminal military aggression against out people. We sincerely thank him for his solidarity," Gil said in a Telegram post.

Dutch Prime Minister Pledges Support to Caribbean Islands Amid Venezuela Crisis

Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof said that residents of the Dutch Caribbean islands — Aruba, Curacao, and Bonaire — can rely on national backing given the Venezuela situation.

"Regional security is of paramount importance for Aruba, Curacao and Bonaire. We are in close contact, and I have informed Prime Ministers [of Aruba Mike] Eman and [of Curacao Gilmar] Pisas, as well as Governor [of Bonaire John] Soliano, that they and the islanders can count on our support during these difficult times," Schoof said.

Hamas Slams Venezuelan President's Capture as Manifestation of US Imperialism

Palestinian movement Hamas condemned the US attacks on Venezuela and the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, calling it a manifestation of American imperialism.

"The real aggression has become a continuation of the United States' unfair policy of meddling in internal affairs, masking imperialist goals. This has already led to the involvement of multiple countries in conflicts that have become a direct threat to global security and peace," the statement read.

Chile Condemns US Military Actions in Venezuela, Calls for Peaceful Resolution – President

Chilean President Gabriel Boric has condemned US military operations in Venezuela and urged a peaceful resolution to the crisis.

"We are deeply concerned and firmly condemn the United States' military actions on Venezuelan soil. We call for peaceful resolution to this serious crisis affecting the country," Boric said.

The president emphasized that the situation must be addressed through dialogue and multilateral diplomacy - not through force or external interference.

Como Gobierno de Chile expresamos nuestra preocupación y condena por las acciones militares de Estados Unidos que se desarrollan en Venezuela y hacemos un llamado a buscar una salida pacífica a la grave crisis que afecta al país.

Belarus Condemns US Strikes on Venezuela - Belarusian Foreign Ministry

Belarus strongly condemned the US armed aggression against Venezuela and declared it a direct threat to international peace and security, the Belarusian Foreign Ministry said.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus categorically condemns the armed aggression carried out on January 3, 2026, against the sovereign state of Venezuela and regards it as a direct threat to international peace and security. The Belarusian side reaffirms its unwavering support for the legitimate government of Venezuela and joins the call for the urgent convening of the UN Security Council, which bears primary responsibility for maintaining peace," the ministry said.

The statement emphasized that the right of the Venezuelan people to determine their own destiny is inviolable.

"No form of external interference, especially the use of force, can ever be justified," the ministry said.

Regarding its nationals, Belarus confirmed no incidents involving Belarusian citizens in Venezuela have been reported.

"Monitoring of the situation involving Belarusian nationals is underway. No reports of extreme or emergency incidents involving them have been received," the statement added.

Caribbean Community Leaders Convene Over US Operation in Venezuela – Statement

Caribbean Community (CARICOM) heads of government held a meeting on the US military operation in Venezuela, with the bloc closely tracking developments in the country.

"The Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM met very early on 3 January following reports of military action in Venezuela. CARICOM is actively monitoring the situation which is of grave concern to the Region with possible implications for neighbouring countries," the statement read.

The Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM met very early on 3 January following reports of military action in Venezuela.

Spain Offers Mediation for Peaceful Resolution of Venezuela Crisis - Foreign Ministry

Spain is ready to support effort toward a peaceful and mutually agreed resolution to the crisis in Venezuela, the Spanish Foreign Ministry said.

"Spain calls for de-escalation and restraint, as well as actions respectful of the international law and the principles of the UN Charter. In this regard, Spain stands ready to offer its good offices to help achieve a peaceful and consensual resolution to the current crisis," the statement read.

The ministry noted that it is monitoring developments in coordination with European Union partners and countries in the region. The ministry emphasized that it remains in constant contact with the Spanish embassy and consulate in Caracas, as well as with the emergency consular response unit, and is closely tracking the situation of the Spanish community in Venezuela.

Colombia Preparing for Possible Venezuelan Refugee Surge – President

Colombia is preparing for a potential mass influx of refugees from Venezuela, Colombian President said.

"We have just concluded the meeting of the National Security Council, which lasted from 3 a.m. [08:00 GMT] Public security forces are being deployed at the border, with all humanitarian and support resources mobilized for a possible refugee wave," Petro said.

Cuba Demands Urgent Global Response to US Attack on Venezuela – President

Cuba has demanded an immediate international response to the US attack on Venezuela, President Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez said.

"Cuba condemns and demands an urgent response from the international community to the criminal attack by the United States on Venezuela," Diaz-Canel said.

US Strikes on Venezuela: Oil Grab & Latin America Fear Tactics - Analyst

The strikes, coinciding with the 1990 US ouster of Panama’s Noriega, echo the old imperial playbook: “seize control of weaker nations' natural resources with no regard for international law,” Dr. Vinicius Vieira, associate professor of economics and international relations at the Armando Alvares Penteado Foundation, tells Sputnik.

While the main objective of US strikes is to get control of Venezuela’s vast oil reserves, “regime change may happen, but not necessarily with a transition towards a Western-style democratic liberal system,” notes Dr. Vinicius Vieira, who is also a lecturer in international relations at the Getúlio Vargas Foundation (Brazil).

The US is also selling the message that any Latin American country could have a target on its back if America decides it wants to exploit its natural resources, he explains.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who reportedly pushed for a harder line on Maduro, may have been a key driver of the attack — shaped by his Florida roots, where any left-wing government is seen as a threat per se, Dr. Vieira emphasizes.

While Rubio may reap certain political benefits, US interests in the region may suffer, turning away leaders like Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro and Brazil’s President Lula da Silva, speculates the analyst.

“Will the US reign it its imperialist ambitions targeting Brazil, Colombia, for instance?” Dr. Vieira queries, and adds that the US appears determined to “fulfill its goals at any cost, even with deaths and the clear violation of international law.”

Gideon Rachman is a British journalist.
He is the chief foreign affairs commentator of the ‘Financial Times’.

read more in our Telegram-channel https://t.me/The_International_Affairs