Russia urges US to free Maduro as UN warns Venezuela action sets ‘dangerous precedent’

Trump released the image of captured Maduro

• Russia urges US to release Venezuela's President Maduro and his wife
• UN warns US military action in Venezuela sets a dangerous precedent
• Maduro indicted in US court on narco-terrorism and weapons charges

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Russia has called on Washington to free Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, asserting that the dispute should be settled through dialogue rather than force. The Russian Foreign Ministry described Maduro as the “legitimately elected president of a sovereign country” and urged the United States to reverse its actions.

“In view of the confirmed reports about Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his spouse being in the US, we strongly urge the US leadership to reconsider their position and release the legitimately elected president of a sovereign country and his spouse,” the Russian MFA said in a post on X.

Concerns were also raised at the United Nations, where Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that the developments surrounding Maduro’s capture amount to a “dangerous precedent.” According to a statement issued by his spokesperson, Guterres is “deeply alarmed by the recent escalation in Venezuela, culminating with today’s United States military action in the country, which has potential worrying implications for the region.”

He stressed that regardless of the political situation in Venezuela, “these developments constitute a dangerous precedent” and said he is “deeply concerned that the rules of international law have not been respected.” The UN chief reiterated that international law and the UN Charter must be fully observed and urged Venezuelan actors to pursue dialogue “in full respect of human rights and the rule of law.”

UN human rights chief Volker Türk echoed those concerns, expressing alarm over the US intervention. “We urge everyone to exercise restraint and fully respect the UN Charter and international human rights law. The protection of people in Venezuela is paramount and must guide any further action,” Türk said on X.

The reactions followed a dramatic announcement by US President Donald Trump, who said the American military had carried out a “large scale” strike against Venezuela. In a post on Truth Social early Saturday, Trump stated that Maduro, “who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the Country,” was detained in an operation conducted with US law enforcement.

US Attorney General Pamela Bondi later confirmed that Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, have been indicted in the Southern District of New York. Maduro faces charges including narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, possession of machine guns and destructive devices, and conspiracy to possess machine guns and destructive devices against the United States.

“They will soon face the full wrath of American justice on American soil in American courts,” Bondi said, thanking Trump for “having the courage to demand accountability on behalf of the American People,” and praising the military for what she called a “highly successful mission” to capture “these two alleged international narco traffickers.”

The unfolding situation has intensified international scrutiny, with multiple global actors warning of the broader implications and calling for restraint, dialogue and adherence to international law.