Governments in both the Nordic region and Asia reacted strongly after the United States in the early hours of 3 January 2026 carried out military strikes in Venezuela and announced the capture of President Nicolás Maduro, an operation that has triggered strong international reactions.
According to Reuters, Denmark and Norway joined a broad group of countries calling for de-escalation and respect for international law following the US action, which took place early on Saturday.
Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said the Danish government was closely monitoring developments together with allies, stressing that now was the time for de-escalation and that international law must be respected.
Norway’s Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide was more explicit, stating that the American intervention was not in accordance with international law and that a peaceful transition to democratic rule was the only viable path forward for Venezuela.
Asian governments also reacted swiftly. China’s Foreign Ministry said it was “deeply shocked” and strongly condemned the use of force by the United States against a sovereign country, warning that the action violated international law and threatened regional stability in Latin America.
Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it was “gravely concerned” about the US intervention and reiterated the city-state’s long-standing opposition to foreign military intervention in any country. The ministry emphasised the importance of sovereignty, territorial integrity and adherence to the principles of the UN Charter, particularly for small states.
Malaysia’s Foreign Ministry likewise opposed all forms of foreign intervention and urged all parties to exercise maximum restraint, calling for a peaceful resolution through dialogue and diplomacy.
Japan’s Foreign Ministry said it would continue to work closely with international partners while stressing the importance of democracy and international law, as well as the protection of its nationals.
Reactions across Europe and beyond were sharply divided. While leaders in France, Germany, Spain and the European Commission called for a peaceful and lawful transition, Russia, Iran and several Latin American governments condemned the strikes as a violation of Venezuelan sovereignty. Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the US action, while Argentina’s President Javier Milei described the developments as positive for the “free world”.
The US operation, announced by President Donald Trump, involved air strikes on targets in and around Caracas and the detention of Maduro and his wife, who were later flown to the United States. Trump said Washington would take control of Venezuela and tap its oil reserves, remarks that further fuelled international concern.
According to Reuters, governments in both the Nordic region and Asia have underscored that any solution to Venezuela’s crisis must respect international law and avoid further escalation.
