Ramaphosa Condemns U.S. Capture of Venezuela’s President Maduro, Calls It Violation of International Law

 Ramaphosa Condemns U.S. Capture of Venezuela’s President Maduro, Calls It Violation of International Law

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has strongly condemned the reported capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by the United States, describing the action as a grave violation of international law and an assault on Venezuela’s sovereignty.

In a firm statement released on Tuesday, Ramaphosa said South Africa “utterly rejects” any form of unilateral military intervention against a sovereign nation, warning that such actions undermine the principles of the United Nations Charter and threaten global peace and stability.

According to the South African leader, the alleged U.S. operation, which reportedly led to the detention of President Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, sets a dangerous precedent in international relations. He stressed that no country has the right to invade another or forcibly remove its leaders outside established international legal frameworks.

“South Africa calls for the immediate respect of Venezuela’s territorial integrity and the unconditional release of its leadership,” Ramaphosa said, while urging the United Nations Security Council to urgently intervene and address the situation.

The South African government, through the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), echoed the president’s position, stating that the incident represents a direct challenge to the rules-based international order. Officials warned that allowing such actions to go unchecked could encourage further instability across the world.

The development has sparked reactions beyond government circles, with political groups and civil society organizations in South Africa planning protests and diplomatic actions against what they describe as U.S. aggression.

The United States, however, has defended its actions by citing longstanding criminal आरोप (charges) against Maduro, including drug trafficking and terrorism-related allegations, which Venezuela and its allies strongly reject as politically motivated.

As global reactions continue to pour in, Ramaphosa reiterated South Africa’s long-standing commitment to non-interference, dialogue, and peaceful resolution of conflicts, calling on the international community to uphold justice and international law over force.