US President Donald Trump has threatened military action against Colombia, suggesting that an operation in the country 'sounds good' if it fails to reduce drug flows. The warning came after the audacious capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who is now in a New York detention centre facing drug charges.
Trump said the US would 'run' Venezuela and warned of a second strike if remaining government members did not cooperate. Vice-President Delcy Rodríguez, appointed acting president, offered to collaborate with the Trump administration, but Trump cautioned she would 'pay a very big price' if she did not fall in line.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Britain was not involved in the attack but refused to condemn it, insisting he wanted to 'establish the facts'. However, Labour MP Kim Johnson criticised the US action as a breach of international law, asking whether 'we as a country still stand' for such principles.
Venezuelan officials condemned the seizure as a kidnapping, with Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino claiming US forces killed soldiers, civilians and security personnel 'in cold blood'. Cuba said 32 of its citizens were killed. Maduro's son vowed supporters would take to the streets to demand his release.
The governments of Spain, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Uruguay issued a joint statement calling the US actions 'an extremely dangerous precedent for peace and regional security'. All EU countries except Hungary called for restraint and respect for the will of the Venezuelan people.
