The Australian prime minister says he backs a “peaceful, democratic transition” of power in Venezuela after the forcible capture of Nicolás Maduro by the US military, but has urged that international law be respected. In a cautious statement, Anthony Albanese said his government was “monitoring developments” after Venezuela’s president and his wife were captured and transported to the US. “We continue to support international law and a peaceful, democratic transition in Venezuela that reflects the will of the Venezuelan people,” he said. Rodríguez said Maduro was Venezuela’s “only” president and that the country would not be colonised. “The UK has long supported a transition of power in Venezuela,” Starmer said.

Source: The Guardian January 04, 2026 13:26 UTC