ANC Condemns US Capture of Venezuelan President as Violation of Sovereignty

The United States (US) violated international law and Venezuelan sovereignty when it captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, his wife, and his son.

This is according to the African National Congress (ANC), which released a statement this week condemning the US’s actions.

US special forces captured Maduro and his family last week. US authorities claimed that he was involved in drug trafficking and narcoterrorism. Maduro and his wife appeared in a court in New York earlier this week, where they pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The ANC said that the actions by the US risked undermining global stability at a time when restraint and diplomacy are needed.

The party also framed the dispute as part of a broader pattern of what it called imperialist pressure on countries in the Global South that pursue independent political and economic paths. Drawing parallels with its own liberation history, the party argued that Venezuela was being targeted for resisting external control over its resources and policy direction.

The statement called on the United Nations and its Security Council to intervene urgently, urging multilateral institutions to prevent further escalation and to prioritise dialogue. It also appealed for solidarity among Global South nations and demanded the immediate and unconditional release of Maduro.

The ANC warned that continued confrontation, including sanctions and military pressure, could deepen humanitarian suffering and further destabilise the region. Its position places it firmly at odds with Washington and aligns the party with Caracas at a time of heightened tension between the US and Venezuela.

The ANC’s statement will do little to improve the frosty relationship between Pretoria and Washington.