Russia Condemns US Armed Aggression Against Venezuela Following Reported Capture of Nicolás Maduro
The Russian Foreign Ministry issued a formal statement on Saturday, January 3, 2026, expressing deep concern and condemnation regarding what it described as a direct act of armed aggression by the United States against Venezuela. Moscow’s sharp rebuke follows a series of large-scale American military strikes that rocked the Venezuelan capital of Caracas and led to the reported capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife. Russian officials characterized the intervention as a flagrant violation of international law and the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter. The ministry emphasized that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of nations must be respected regardless of political differences or external pressure. In its official communication, Russia warned that such unilateral military actions threaten to destabilize the entire Latin American and Caribbean region while setting a dangerous global precedent.
Moscow has urged all parties involved to exercise maximum restraint to prevent a further escalation of violence that could lead to a broader humanitarian catastrophe. The Russian government reaffirmed its stance that the Venezuelan people must be guaranteed the right to determine their own destiny through internal dialogue and without destructive outside interference. To address the rapidly evolving situation, the Kremlin has signaled its support for an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council. Russian diplomats argued that the pretexts used by the Trump administration to justify the strikes are untenable and represent a shift toward ideologically driven hostility over diplomatic pragmatism. Deputy Speaker of the Federation Council Konstantin Kosachev added that the current military operation has no substantive basis and that a global order based on international law must prevail over a system of arbitrary rules.
Despite the intensity of the early morning bombardment in Caracas, the Russian Foreign Ministry confirmed that its embassy in the capital remains safe and undamaged. Diplomatic personnel have reported that they are in constant contact with local authorities and are monitoring the safety of Russian citizens currently residing in the country. The embassy noted that the specific residential area surrounding the mission was not targeted during the strikes which primarily focused on strategic military hubs. Russian state media outlets have highlighted that the strikes were concentrated on facilities such as the La Carlota airbase and the Fort Tiuna military complex. These sites were identified by Washington as critical nodes for the Maduro administration’s control and alleged involvement in transnational crime.
The geopolitical fallout from the US operation is expected to dominate international discourse as the world reacts to the sudden removal of the Venezuelan leadership. While President Trump has hailed the mission as a brilliant success for regional security, the Russian government maintains that the capture of a sitting head of state through military force is an unacceptable transgression. Moscow’s solidarity with the Venezuelan government reflects its long-standing role as a primary ally and economic partner to Caracas. Analysts suggest that Russia’s strong reaction is intended to mobilize the global majority against what it views as a return to interventionist policies in the Western Hemisphere. As the situation on the ground remains volatile, the international community continues to wait for further details regarding the status and location of the captured Venezuelan officials.
