Donald Trump said on Saturday morning that US troops had carried out a “large-scale strike” on Venezuela and captured its president, Nicolás Maduro, and his wife, Cilia Flores. 

The attack came after months of mounting pressure on Venezuela, marked by an increased American military presence in South America and operations in the eastern Pacific and Caribbean that Washington said were tied to drug trafficking claims, allegations that Maduro had already dismissed as a pretext for targeting the country.

International reactions poured in following US attacks on Venezuela, as multiple countries urged dialogue, opposed foreign intervention, and issued safety advisories for their citizens.

Indonesia called for de-escalation and dialogue following US strikes against Venezuela, and stressed the importance of international law and principles.

Jakarta continues to closely monitor developments in Venezuela to ensure the safety of its citizens, a statement by Indonesia’s Foreign Ministry said on US social media company X.

“Indonesia also calls on all relevant parties to prioritize peaceful resolution through de-escalation and dialogue, while prioritizing the protection of civilians,” the statement added.

“Indonesia emphasizes the importance of respecting international law and the principles of the UN Charter,” the statement added, Anadolu Agency reported.

Separately, the Malaysian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Kuala Lumpur is closely monitoring the situation in Venezuela.

“As a matter of principle, Malaysia opposes all forms of foreign intervention in the internal affairs of other states, as well as the threat or use of force,” the statement said.

Separately, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung instructed officials to ensure the protection of South Korean nationals in Venezuela and to prepare evacuation plans if necessary.

China’s Foreign Ministry and the Chinese Embassy in Venezuela issued a statement, advising Chinese citizens to temporarily refrain from traveling to Venezuela.

Chinese nationals and institutions currently in Venezuela are advised to closely monitor the local security situation, strengthen safety precautions and emergency preparedness, and avoid unnecessary outings, the statement said.

The Philippines also advised its citizens in Venezuela to stay vigilant, monitor the developments, and remain indoors.

Separately, the Japanese Foreign Ministry said in a statement that it has immediately set up a local response headquarters at the Embassy of Japan in Venezuela, adding that Tokyo will continue to take all possible measures to gather information and protect Japanese nationals.

India also asked its nationals “to avoid all non-essential travel to Venezuela,” in view of “recent developments.”

DID