Russia’s Foreign Ministry on Saturday urged the United States to release Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife after President Donald Trump announced their capture during military strikes on Caracas. In a statement, Moscow said Washington should reconsider its position and free the lawfully elected leader of a sovereign nation. Moreover, the ministry emphasized that diplomacy remains the only viable path to resolving the escalating confrontation.
Meanwhile, the Foreign Ministry said Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov spoke by phone with Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez Gómez. During the call, Lavrov expressed solidarity with the Venezuelan people amid what he described as armed aggression. Gómez was in Moscow, but Russian officials rejected the report and labeled it false. Furthermore, Moscow reiterated that it would continue supporting Venezuela’s Bolivarian leadership in defending national interests and sovereignty while urging restraint to prevent further escalation.
Trump Hails Operation as Venezuela Assesses Damage
Earlier, President Trump said the U.S. military carried out a large-scale strike on Venezuela early Saturday. He added that U.S. forces captured Maduro and his wife in coordination with American law enforcement and were transporting them to New York to face criminal charges. Shortly afterward, Trump praised the mission in comments to The New York Times, calling it a brilliantly planned operation executed by U.S. troops.
In response, Russia’s Foreign Ministry warned that Maduro’s capture would constitute an unacceptable violation of Venezuelan sovereignty. At the same time, Russia’s embassy in Caracas said it continues normal operations and remains in close contact with Venezuelan authorities and Russian citizens. The embassy reported no injuries among Russian nationals.
According to CNN, Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López said U.S. missiles and rockets struck urban areas across the country from combat helicopters. Authorities are still assessing casualties, he said, while vowing resistance against foreign military presence.
