South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has condemned the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife by the United States, describing the action as a violation of international law and Venezuela’s sovereignty.
Ramaphosa made the position known in a post shared on his official X handle on Tuesday, where he expressed solidarity with the Venezuelan people and criticised Washington’s actions.
“We reject utterly the actions embarked upon by the United States and we stand with the people of Venezuela,” the South African leader wrote. He added that South Africa’s stance was guided by its commitment to international law and the principles of the United Nations Charter.
“It is our commitment to international law and the United Nations Charter that informs our deep concern at the action of the United States in Venezuela, which has undermined the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the UN member state called Venezuela,” Ramaphosa said.
The comments place South Africa among countries openly criticising the U.S. operation in Venezuela, which has continued to generate international reactions and diplomatic tension.
Ramaphosa’s statement underscores Pretoria’s long-standing position in support of respect for national sovereignty and non-interference in the internal affairs of sovereign states.
