Canada, UK, and France Respond to U.S. Capture of Maduro: Applause for End of Regime, Caution Over Path Ahead
The fallout from the United States' dramatic military operation that led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has drawn sharp global reactions, with key Western allies such as Canada, the United Kingdom, and France expressing cautious support for what they see as a long-overdue shift in Venezuela’s leadership.
 |
| File Photo: FrontPageMagazine |
Mark Carney, who leads Canada’s newly elected administration, underscored Ottawa’s longstanding position that Maduro’s presidency was illegitimate, referencing the contested 2018 election which Canada did not recognize.
Carney called Maduro’s regime “brutally oppressive” and emphasized Canada’s early sanctions from 2025 targeting the Venezuelan leadership. Framing the capture as an opportunity, he stated that “freedom, democracy, peace, and prosperity” must now be the focus for Venezuelans.
He reiterated Canada’s support for a peaceful and Venezuelan-led transition and said Ottawa remains in contact with international partners, with its embassy in Bogotá ready to assist Canadians and support displaced Venezuelans.
From Paris, French President Emmanuel Macron described the moment as one of “liberation” for the Venezuelan people. Writing in Spanish on social media, Macron called Maduro’s rule a violation of dignity and freedoms, and expressed hope that the path forward would be led by Edmundo González Urrutia, the opposition figure widely seen as Maduro’s successor after the 2024 presidential election.
The French government is reportedly in discussions with regional allies, with particular attention on safeguarding French nationals amid continued political uncertainty.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer echoed these sentiments, acknowledging that the UK had long regarded Maduro’s presidency as illegitimate. Starmer said there would be no mourning over the regime’s collapse, and stressed the importance of international law guiding the next steps.
The UK will be engaging in talks with Washington, he confirmed, with the aim of ensuring a legitimate government takes shape that accurately reflects the will of the Venezuelan people.
These responses follow a sweeping covert operation that began with a U.S. special forces raid late Friday night in Caracas. Maduro was reportedly captured inside his presidential compound and flown via a multi-leg route—first to a U.S. warship, then to Guantanamo Bay, and ultimately to New York, where he was booked into the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. U.S. officials say he faces charges ranging from narco-terrorism to cocaine trafficking and weapons conspiracy. The indictments, some dating back to 2020, were recently unsealed in the Southern District of New York.
U.S. President Donald Trump has defended the action as both a criminal justice matter and a move to stabilize the region. He claimed the operation was essential not only to remove a leader implicated in drug trafficking, but also to reset Venezuela’s governance and economy.
Trump stated publicly that the United States would temporarily “run” Venezuela to ensure a secure transition, and said U.S. oil companies would play a central role in rebuilding the country's energy infrastructure.
However, the nature of the operation has provoked significant criticism elsewhere, with several Latin American countries—among them Mexico, Colombia, and Cuba—condemning the raid as a violation of sovereignty and international law.
Russia and China issued formal protests, with both countries warning of broader regional destabilization and framing the U.S. action as hegemonic.
Moscow, in particular, demanded Maduro’s immediate release, while Beijing described the move as a grave breach of international norms.
The Venezuelan government, now headed by Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, has declared a state of emergency and rejected U.S. claims of cooperation.
Although Trump suggested that Rodríguez was working with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to facilitate a transition, there has been no formal joint confirmation.
Venezuela’s constitution mandates a new presidential election within 30 days in the event of a vacancy, but it remains unclear whether such a process is underway.
Inside the United States, the operation has generated fierce debate. While the White House has framed it as a precise strike against a narco-terrorist network, several Democratic lawmakers have condemned it as unauthorized and potentially illegal.
Critics say the strike lacked Congressional approval and have raised concerns about its implications for international law, American foreign policy, and the precedent it sets for military interventions.
Amid these divisions, the responses from Canada, the UK, and France stand out for their clarity in denouncing Maduro’s tenure while also emphasizing the need for a legitimate and peaceful transition.
The three nations, all longstanding critics of the Maduro regime, have consistently supported democratic processes in Venezuela through multilateral platforms such as the Lima Group and the European Union.
For now, attention will turn to the legal proceedings unfolding in New York, where Maduro and his wife await trial, as well as to the political situation in Caracas. With U.S. troops on high alert and Trump issuing warnings to other regional leaders—including those in Colombia, Cuba, and Mexico—the implications of this raid go far beyond Venezuela’s borders.
Read the full coverage of Venezuela Seizure on IndianRepublic.in