Venezuela has requested an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council to discuss what it described as US attacks on the country, amid continued uncertainty over the whereabouts of President Nicolás Maduro.
In a message posted on Telegram on Saturday, Venezuela’s Foreign Minister Iván Gil said the request had been made in response to what he called “criminal aggression” by the United States.
“Faced with the criminal aggression committed by the US government against our homeland, we have requested an urgent meeting of the United Nations Security Council, which is responsible for upholding international law,” Gil wrote.
The request comes amid heightened international tension following reports that President Maduro had been removed from Venezuela with US involvement, claims later confirmed by US President Donald Trump.
European Union urges restraint
The European Union responded through its High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas, stressing the need to respect international law and prioritise the safety of EU citizens in Venezuela.
Kallas said she had spoken with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the EU ambassador in Caracas, adding that the bloc was closely monitoring developments.
“The European Union has repeatedly stated that Maduro lacks legitimacy and has supported a peaceful transition,” she said. “Under all circumstances, the principles of international law and the United Nations Charter must be respected.”
She also called for restraint and underlined that the safety of EU citizens in Venezuela “is a top priority” for the Union.
US officials say Maduro detained
US Republican Senator Mike Lee said that Secretary of State Marco Rubio had told him that President Maduro had been arrested by US forces and transferred to the United States to face criminal prosecution.
Lee said US military operations in Venezuela had concluded following Maduro’s arrest. In a post on X, he said Rubio expected no further military action now that Maduro was in US custody.
European governments react
Spain called for de-escalation, restraint and respect for international law, according to a statement from the Spanish foreign ministry, and offered to act as a mediator in efforts to find a peaceful solution.
Germany said it was following the situation with “great concern” and announced that a crisis response team would meet later in the day. The German foreign ministry added that it was in close contact with Germany’s embassy in Caracas.
Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said Rome and its diplomatic mission in Caracas were closely monitoring developments, with particular attention on the Italian community in Venezuela. In a post on X, Tajani said Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was being kept fully informed and that the foreign ministry’s crisis unit had been activated.
Italy’s ambassador to Venezuela told public broadcaster RAI that around 160,000 Italians live in the country, most holding dual nationality, as well as others present for work or tourism.
Belgium said it was coordinating closely with European partners. Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot said diplomatic services in Brussels and the Belgian embassy in Bogotá, which covers Venezuela, had been fully mobilised.
US hails “new era” for Venezuela
US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau said Venezuela was entering a “new era” following the announcement of Maduro’s arrest by US special forces.
“A new era for Venezuela. The tyrant is gone. Now, at last, he will be held accountable for his crimes,” Landau wrote on X.
Trump told the New York Times that the US operation which led to Maduro’s arrest was the result of “very good planning”.
“It was an excellent operation, actually,” Trump said.
As diplomatic efforts intensify and international scrutiny grows, attention now turns to the UN Security Council, where Venezuela’s request for an emergency meeting is expected to be discussed in the coming hours.