Regional tensions rise after U.S. military action and removal of Maduro : NPR

The impact of the recent airstrikes and “capture” of Nicolás Maduro by the Trump administration is reverberating well beyond Venezuela, marking the most significant U.S. intervention in the region since the 1989 invasion of Panama.

President Gustavo Petro of Colombia announced the deployment of security forces along the border to prepare for a potential influx of refugees, as Colombia is home to the largest Venezuelan diaspora.

Petro confirmed multiple strikes in Caracas, including at a military airbase and other installations, as well as the legislative building. He condemned the attack as an aggression against Venezuela and Latin America, calling for de-escalation.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva criticized the U.S. attack on Venezuela and the capture of Maduro, stating that the strikes had crossed a dangerous line and set a troubling precedent.

Lula expressed concerns that the U.S. action harkened back to dark moments of interference in Latin America, jeopardizing the region’s peace. Relations between Brazil and Venezuela have soured since Brazil refused to recognize Maduro’s disputed election victory in 2024.

Chile and Mexico, among other regional powers, also condemned the U.S. strikes. Mexico denounced the attacks as a violation of the U.N. Charter and called for an immediate cessation of aggression. In a Fox News interview, President Trump criticized Mexico, stating that action needed to be taken against drug cartels.

Cuba and Nicaragua, close allies of Venezuela, are closely monitoring the crisis. Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel labeled the U.S. action as “state terrorism” and called for urgent international intervention.

Cuba, currently facing a severe economic crisis, heavily relies on Venezuelan oil. Any disruption in the oil supply could worsen Cuba’s economic situation, prompting the government in Havana – in power since 1959 – to closely monitor the unfolding events.

What’s next: the global stage

China and Russia, close allies of Venezuela, have also responded to the situation. Russia condemned the U.S. strikes, expressing solidarity with the Venezuelan people and criticizing the U.S. assault on Venezuela’s sovereignty.

China strongly opposed the U.S. action, denouncing it as a violation of international law and an infringement on Venezuela’s sovereignty. The European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, expressed support for a peaceful democratic transition in Venezuela.

Venezuela has called for an emergency U.N. Security Council meeting to address the legality of the U.S. operation. U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres expressed deep concern about the lack of respect for international law in the recent developments.