Monrovia — The Economic Community of West African States has issued a strong diplomatic condemnation following the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by United States forces, an unprecedented operation that has divided global opinion and sparked widespread concern over sovereignty, international law, and the limits of executive power. In a statement, ECOWAS said it had “followed with concern recent developments in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela” after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that American forces had carried out a large-scale military operation in Caracas, resulting in President Maduro being taken into U.S. custody. While the United States justified the operation as part of the global fight against transnational crime, including terrorism and drug trafficking, ECOWAS cautioned that such actions must not override international norms. The U.S. military operation has also highlighted deep divisions within Washington. Russia described Maduro’s capture as “a grave violation of sovereignty and international law” and called the U.S. action “armed aggression,” while China expressed shock over the unilateral use of force.

Source: Front Page Africa January 06, 2026 19:10 UTC