The US captured Venezuela's president Nicolas Maduro in a military operation early on Saturday morning, culminating a months-long pressure campaign by president Donald Trump's administration that drew condemnation from some international leaders. On Saturday, US forces attacked Venezuela and seized Maduro, who has been widely condemned as an illegitimate leader, and his wife Cilia Flores. What does the law say? International law prohibits the use of force in international relations except for narrow exceptions such as authorization by the U.N. Security Council or in self-defense. The US has not recognized Maduro as the legitimate leader of Venezuela since 2019, following an election the US said was rigged.

Source: Philippine Star January 04, 2026 07:12 UTC