By: Nompendulo Ngubane
The African National Congress (ANC) has called on US President Donald Trump to immediately release Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, after they were captured by US forces during a military operation in Venezuela over the weekend.
The dramatic raid, which involved airstrikes and special operations forces in Caracas, resulted in Maduro and Flores being flown to New York, where they appeared in a federal court on Monday. Both have pleaded not guilty to charges including narco-terrorism and cocaine trafficking. Maduro also told the judge that he was “kidnapped” and is still the lawful president of Venezuela.
This follows months of US military pressure and strikes on vessels in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, purportedly aimed at disrupting narcotics smuggling routes. The U.S. government has defended the capture as a legitimate law-enforcement and counter-narcotics action.
During a media briefing in Rustenburg, ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula condemned what he described as American aggression and a blatant violation of international law and Venezuelan sovereignty. Mbalula said the ANC stands in solidarity with the Venezuelan people and will work with other forces in South Africa to oppose actions that undermine global peace and stability.
The ANC’s statement echoes reactions from a number of world leaders and international institutions. At an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council, countries including South Africa, China, Brazil and Russia condemned the U.S. operation as a “crime of aggression” and a breach of the UN Charter, arguing that the use of force without host-nation consent sets a dangerous precedent.
In Venezuela, Maduro’s vice-president, Delcy Rodríguez, has been sworn in as interim president, but her legitimacy is contested amid the ongoing crisis. Caracas has denounced the US-led removal of Maduro as a violation of national sovereignty and has demanded his and Flores’ immediate release.
The situation continues to develop, with global leaders divided on the legality and implications of the U.S. intervention and the future stability of Venezuela.
