Former Nigerian senator Shehu Sani and human rights activist Omoyele Sowore have strongly condemned the reported capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife by United States forces, as the operation continues to draw international outrage and concern over alleged violations of international law.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Saturday via his Truth Social platform that American forces had carried out a “large-scale strike” in Venezuela, resulting in the arrest of President Maduro and his wife, hours after explosions were reported in the capital, Caracas.
“The United States of America has successfully carried out a large-scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolás Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the country,” Trump said.
Reacting, Shehu Sani likened the action to previous controversial U.S.-led regime changes in the Middle East and North Africa, accusing President Trump of double standards and disregard for international norms.
“Mr Trump condemned Bush for removing Saddam and condemned Obama for removing Gaddafi; here he, acting without Congressional consent or approval, and without regard for international law and respect for the sovereignty of Venezuela, invaded Venezuela and removed their President,” Sani said.
He added: “I would like history and posterity to record me as one who has unreservedly condemned this action that doesn’t reflect the interests and wishes of the good people of the United States.”
Sani’s remarks referenced past U.S. interventions, including the 2003 invasion of Iraq under President George W. Bush, which led to the capture and execution of Saddam Hussein, and the 2011 NATO-backed intervention in Libya under President Barack Obama that culminated in the death of Muammar Gaddafi.
Omoyele Sowore also criticised the U.S. action, describing it as an illegal regime change operation and warning of broader global consequences.
“In light of the illegal regime change agenda pursued by the U.S. President in Venezuela and the kidnapping of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, the time has come to confront an uncomfortable truth,” Sowore said.
He accused the United Nations of failing in its mandate, describing it as “a ceremonial tea party, impotent, compromised, and largely irrelevant,” and called for its replacement with “a truly credible coalition of nation-states designed to serve humanity, uphold justice, and prevent tyranny.”
Meanwhile, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres expressed deep concern over the reported strikes. His spokesman, Stéphane Dujarric, said the UN chief was “deeply alarmed” and warned that “the rules of international law have not been respected.”
Dujarric added that Guterres called on “all actors in Venezuela to engage in inclusive dialogue, in full respect of human rights and the rule of law.”
Several countries, including Iran, Colombia, Cuba, Russia, Spain, Germany, Italy and China, have also condemned the alleged U.S. operation, raising serious questions about its legality and the dangerous precedent it could set for international relations.
