Russia Demands Release of Maduro After U.S. Military Strikes Venezuela
Russia is offering stark criticism of the U.S. military attack on Venezuela, which resulted in the capture of President Nicolas Maduro.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry on Saturday demanded the release of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife following President Donald Trump’s announcement that the two were captured during U.S. military strikes on Caracas.
In a statement, the ministry urged U.S. leaders to reverse course and free what it described as the “lawfully elected president of a sovereign state and his wife,” emphasizing that the escalating crisis should be resolved through diplomatic means rather than force.
In a separate release, the ministry said Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov spoke by phone with Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez Gómez, expressing solidarity with the Venezuelan people amid what Russia described as armed aggression. Reports from anonymous sources cited by Reuters claimed Rodríguez Gómez was in Moscow, though Russian officials rejected those claims as false.
Russia reaffirmed its support for Venezuela’s Bolivarian leadership, saying it would continue backing Caracas in defending its sovereignty and national interests. The ministry called for restraint and warned that further escalation could worsen the situation.
Russia’s embassy in Caracas said it remains fully operational and in regular contact with Venezuelan authorities and Russian nationals in the country. The embassy reported no Russian citizens injured during the attacks.
President Trump stated that U.S. forces carried out a “large-scale strike” on Venezuela early Saturday, adding that Maduro and his wife were captured in coordination with U.S. law enforcement and were being transported to New York to face criminal charges.
Speaking to The New York Times after the announcement, Trump praised the operation, calling it “brilliant” and crediting extensive planning and the performance of U.S. troops.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry said the detention of Maduro would constitute an unacceptable violation of Venezuelan sovereignty. Trump is expected to address the operation later Saturday at a news conference at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.
According to CNN, Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López said U.S. strikes hit urban areas across the country, involving missiles and rockets fired from American helicopters. He said authorities were still assessing casualties.
“This invasion represents the greatest outrage our country has endured,” López said, adding that Venezuela would resist any foreign military presence.
Saturday’s operation followed months of increased U.S. military activity in the Caribbean, including the deployment of thousands of troops and multiple warships. Since September, U.S. forces have targeted vessels the Trump administration alleges were involved in drug trafficking.
President Trump has repeatedly accused Venezuela’s government of narco-terrorism and has openly expressed support for regime change. In an interview with Fox News later Saturday, he said the United States would be “very strongly involved” in Venezuela’s oil sector following Maduro’s capture.
Russia responded by calling for an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council, condemning what it described as an act of armed aggression.
“The reasons cited to justify these actions are groundless,” the Foreign Ministry said, warning that ideological hostility had overtaken diplomacy and stability. Russia urged all parties to avoid further escalation and pursue dialogue, offering its support for negotiations aimed at resolving the conflict peacefully.
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