Venezuela has welcomed expressions of regional and international support following a US military operation that Caracas has described as an attack on its sovereignty and the abduction of President Nicolás Maduro.

In a statement posted on X, Venezuela’s Foreign Minister Yvan Gil thanked former Mexican president Andrés Manuel López Obrador for what he called a message of solidarity, saying it reflected shared Latin American values and opposition to US “interventionism”.

The Venezuelan government accused the Trump administration of exercising “global tyranny” and praised countries and leaders defending Venezuela’s sovereignty and dignity.

Mexico earlier issued a strong condemnation of the US action, describing it as an “arrogant attack on the sovereignty of the Venezuelan people” and warning that it seriously jeopardised regional stability.

Brazil, Colombia and Cuba have also expressed support for Caracas.

Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez denounced what she called the “kidnapping” of Maduro, insisting he remains “the only president of Venezuela”.

The statements came amid reports that Maduro and his wife were being questioned in New York over alleged drug-trafficking charges, following their capture by US forces.

Reactions extended beyond the region. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim condemned the operation as a violation of international law, saying the seizure of a sitting head of government amounted to an unlawful use of force.

He warned that forcibly removing a leader through external action set a dangerous precedent and stressed that Venezuela’s political future must be decided by its own people.

India said it was monitoring the situation with “deep concern” and urged all parties to resolve differences peacefully.

New Delhi reaffirmed its support for the safety and well-being of the Venezuelan people and said its embassy in Caracas remained in contact with the Indian community.

India was once a major buyer of Venezuelan oil, but imports fell sharply after US sanctions were imposed in 2019.

China is also expected to reassess its approach to Latin America in the wake of the incident.

Analyst Shaun Rein said Beijing may “recalibrate” its regional strategy as governments grow nervous about the consequences of defying Washington.

He noted that US pressure on countries such as Panama, Mexico and Trinidad had already cooled their ties with China, adding that some leaders now fear they could face similar treatment if they challenge US interests.

In contrast, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised US President Donald Trump, congratulating him on what he called “bold and historic leadership” and commending the actions of US forces involved in the operation.