World reacts to US 'aggression' against Venezuela

* FRENCH PRESIDENT EMMANUEL MACRON

"The transition to come must be peaceful, democratic, and respectful of the will of the Venezuelan people. We hope that President Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, elected in 2024, will be able to ensure this transition as quickly as possible."

* GERMAN CHANCELLOR FRIEDRICH MERZ

Merz said the legal assessment of the US operation was complex and "we will take our time" to evaluate it, adding that principles of international law must apply. He urged that "a transition to a government legitimised by elections must be ensured" and warned that "political instability must not arise in Venezuela".

* SPANISH PRIME MINISTER PEDRO SANCHEZ

"Spain did not recognise the Maduro ?regime. But neither will it recognise an intervention that violates international law and pushes the region toward a horizon of uncertainty and belligerence."

* UN SECRETARY-GENERAL ANTONIO GUTERRES

"These developments constitute a dangerous precedent," Guterres' spokesperson said. "The Secretary-General continues to emphasize the importance of full respect - by all - of international law, including the UN Charter. He's deeply concerned that the rules of international law have not been respected."

* AUSTRALIAN PRIME MINISTER ANTHONY ALBANESE

"We continue to support international law and a peaceful, democratic transition in Venezuela that reflects the will of the Venezuelan people."

* ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN ?NETANYAHU

"Congratulations, President @realDonaldTrump for your bold and historic leadership on behalf of freedom and justice. I salute your decisive resolve and the brilliant action of your brave soldiers."

* CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY

"China is deeply shocked and strongly condemns the use of force by the US against a sovereign country and the use of force against the president of a country."

* SOUTH AFRICAN DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

"South Africa calls on the UN Security Council, the ?body mandated to maintain international peace and security, to urgently convene to address this situation."

* RUSSIA FOREIGN MINISTRY

"This morning, the United States committed an act of armed aggression against Venezuela. This is deeply concerning and condemnable. The pretexts used to justify such actions ?are unfounded. Ideological animosity has prevailed over business pragmatism and the willingness to build relationships based on trust and predictability. In the current situation, it is important, first and foremost, to prevent further escalation and to focus on finding a way out of the situation through dialogue."

* ARGENTINE PRESIDENT JAVIER MILEI

"What we have to understand is that it's the collapse of the regime of a dictator that ?was rigging elections, that in the last election was badly defeated and, despite that, he clung on to power. That's why I'd say that today's news is excellent news for the free world."

* MEXICAN MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

"The Mexican government strongly condemns and rejects the military actions carried out unilaterally in recent hours by the armed forces of the United States of America against targets in the territory of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, in clear violation of Article 2 of the Charter of the United Nations."

* BRITISH PRIME MINISTER KEIR STARMER

"The UK government will discuss the evolving situation with US counterparts in the days ahead as we seek a safe and peaceful transition to a legitimate government that reflects the will of the Venezuelan people."

* BRAZIL'S PRESIDENT LUIZ INACIO LULA DA SILVA

"Attacking countries in flagrant violation of international law is the first step toward a world of violence, chaos, and instability, where the law of the strongest prevails over multilateralism."

* UKRAINE FOREIGN MINISTER ANDRII SYBIHA

"Ukraine has consistently defended the right of nations to live freely, free of dictatorship, oppression, and human rights violations. The Maduro regime has violated all such principles in every respect. We stand for further developments in accordance with the principles of international law, prioritising democracy, human rights, and the interests of Venezuelans."

* ECUADOR PRESIDENT GABRIEL NOBOA

"The time is coming for all the narco-Chavista criminals. Their structure will finally collapse across the entire continent."

* EUROPEAN COMMISSION PRESIDENT URSULA VON DER LEYEN

"We stand by the people of Venezuela and support a peaceful and democratic transition. Any solution must ?respect international law and the UN Charter."

* IRAN'S SUPREME LEADER AYATOLLAH ALI KHAMENEI

"What matters is that when a person realises the enemy is arrogantly trying to impose something on the country, on the officials, ?on the ?government, and on the nation, one must stand firmly against the enemy and bare one's chest in resistance. We will not yield to the enemy."

* OFFICE OF ITALIAN PRIME MINISTER GIORGIA MELONI

"The government believes that external military action is not the way to end totalitarian regimes, but at the same time considers defensive intervention against hybrid attacks to its security to be legitimate, as in the case of state entities that fuel and promote drug trafficking."

* NORWAY FOREIGN MINISTER ESPEN BARTH EIDE

"International law is universal and binding for all states. The American intervention in Venezuela is not in accordance with international law."

* SLOVAKIAN PRIME MINISTER ROBERT FICO

"The US military action in Venezuela is further evidence of the breakdown of the world order created after World War II."

* CZECH REPUBLIC FOREIGN MINISTER PETR MACINKA:

"We now consider it important ?to calm the situation and initiate diplomatic negotiations, including with the participation of the Venezuelan opposition."

* CANADIAN FOREIGN MINISTER ANITA ANAND

"Canada calls on all parties to respect ?international law and we stand by the people ?of Venezuela and their desire to live in a peaceful and democratic society. Canada is engaging with its international partners and monitoring developments closely."

* PARAGUAY GOVERNMENT

"Paraguay is closely monitoring current developments in Venezuela and calls for prioritising democratic means that guarantee an orderly transition."

* CHILE'S PRESIDENT GABRIEL BORIC

"As the government of Chile, we express our concern and condemnation of the military actions of the United States in Venezuela and call for a peaceful solution to the serious ?crisis affecting the ?country."

* BOLIVIA'S FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTRY

"Bolivia reiterates its commitment to peace, democracy, and co-ordination with the ?international community for humanitarian assistance, the protection of the civilian population, and support for a credible and definitive process of institutional reconstruction".

* PANAMA'S PRESIDENT JOSE RAUL MULINO

"In light of the events that took place early this morning in Venezuela, my government reiterates our position in favour of democratic trials and in favour of accepting the legitimate wishes of the Venezuelan people, as expressed emphatically at the polls, where Edmundo Gonzalez was elected."

* PERU'S FOREIGN MINISTRY

"The government of Peru calls for a prompt solution to the political situation in Venezuela, in favour of a transition with full respect for international law and human rights, as well as attention to the legitimate and genuine aspirations of the Venezuelan people to live in democracy with the support of the regional community."

* MALAYSIAN MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

"As a matter of principle, Malaysia opposes all forms of foreign intervention in the internal affairs of other states, ?as well as the threat or use of force. These are fundamental principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and international law. Malaysia consistently upholds the importance of peaceful resolution of disputes through dialogue, respect for sovereignty, and adherence to international norms. At this critical time, it ?is crucial for the concerned parties to exercise maximum restraint and seek peaceful solutions through dialogue and diplomacy."