Sarah Burns – 34 minutes ago<\/p>\n
Ireland has consistently called for a peaceful and negotiated transition in Venezuela, says Minister for Foreign Affairs <\/p>\n
Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee has said she has been in contact with EU High Representative for Foreign Policy, Kaja Kallas regarding the situation in Venezuela. <\/p>\n
\u201cI will remain in close contact with EU colleagues as the situation evolves,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n
\u201cIreland, together with our EU partners, underlines the absolute necessity of full respect for international law and the principles of the UN Charter. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhile we have been clear that President Maduro does not have any democratic legitimacy, we have consistently called for a peaceful and negotiated transition in Venezuela, and have supported all international efforts to that end.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ms McEntee said her department is monitoring the consular situation, in coordination with EU partners on the ground.<\/p>\n
![\"Minister](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ULVIODRW25KCS2SILWJ3UH7ZV4.jpg\")
Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee said her department is monitoring consular situation. Photograph: Olivier Hoslet\/EPA <\/p>\n
Sarah Burns – 57 minutes ago<\/p>\n
Irish Government must condemn US actions, says Sinn F\u00e9in<\/p>\n
Sinn F\u00e9in\u2019s national chairperson, Declan Kearney MLA, has condemned the overnight US violation against Venezuela. <\/p>\n
Mr Kearney said the US assault against Venezuelan national sovereignty has serious and far-reaching repercussions for the primacy of the global rules based order and authority of the United Nations Charter. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis US aggression is deeply destabilising for Venezuela and the wider Latin American and Caribbean region,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt comes at a time when the illegal embargo against Cuba has intensified, and the American President is also threatening more unilateral military attacks in the Middle East and repeating threats against the sovereignty of Greenland.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe illegal US removal of the Venezuelan President from office sits in marked contrast with its defiance of the International Criminal Court arrest warrants in the names of Israeli political leaders for genocidal crimes against the Palestinian people.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Kearney said the Irish government and global democracy must condemn the actions, and act to support \u201can urgent deescalation of political tensions in Venezuela, and the establishment of regional political stability and security\u201d. <\/p>\n
![\"Sinn](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/M463GHDUJZJD7PXAWIUIGQNAN4.jpg\")
Sinn F\u00e9in national chairperson Declan Kearney says Irish Government must condemn US actions. Photograph: Brenda Fitzsimons \/ The Irish Times <\/p>\n
US Attorney General Pam Bondi has said that Mr Maduro and his wife have been indicted in the Southern District of New York.<\/p>\n
She said the Venezuelan president has been charged with \u201cNarco-Terrorism Conspiracy, Cocaine Importation Conspiracy, Possession of Machineguns and Destructive Devices, and Conspiracy to Possess Machineguns and Destructive Devices against the United States\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey will soon face the full wrath of American justice on American soil in American courts,\u201d said Ms Bondi, but did not not say what his wife has been charged with.<\/p>\n
\u201cA huge thank you to our brave military who conducted the incredible and highly successful mission to capture these two alleged international narco traffickers.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"US](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/SOZNEYUYSYLKVTPQGGROCRFT34.jpg\")
US Attorney General Pam Bondi. Photograph: Tierney L. Cross\/The New York Times
\n British prime minister says UK was not involved in strikes and wants to speak with US president to find out \u2018full facts\u2019<\/p>\n
British prime minister Keir Starmer has said \u200dhis country was not involved \u200din the United States\u2019 strikes on Venezuela and that he \u200cwanted to speak with \u2060US president Donald Trump and \u200cfind \u200bout \u200dthe full facts of what had happened.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to establish \u2060the facts first. \u2060I want to \u2060speak to President Trump. I want to \u200dspeak to allies. I can be absolutely clear that we were not involved…and I always \u200csay and \u200cbelieve we should all uphold international law,\u201d he \u200csaid in a statement to \u2060British broadcasters.<\/p>\n
![\"British](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/GXOBJCHTXFNH57CLZF6KEHKWSQ.jpg\")
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he wanted to speak with US president Donald Trump to establish full facts. Photograph: Isabel Infantes\/PA Wire World leaders react to US attacks <\/p>\n
Russia\u2019s foriegn ministry has said the United States committed an act of armed aggression against Venezuela, which was \u201cdeeply \u200bconcerning and condemnable\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe pretexts used to justify such actions are unfounded. Ideological animosity has prevailed over business pragmatism and the willingness to build relationships based on trust and predictability,\u201d it said. <\/p>\n
\u201cIn the current situation, it is important, first and foremost, to prevent further escalation and to focus on finding a way \u200dout of the situation through dialogue.\u201d<\/p>\n
It added that Latin America must remain a zone of peace, as it declared itself to be in 2014. <\/p>\n
\u201cAnd Venezuela must be guaranteed the right to determine its own destiny without any destructive, let alone military, interference from outside.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe support the statement by the \u200dVenezuelan authorities and the leaders of Latin American countries calling for an immediate meeting of the UN Security Council.\u201d<\/p>\n
Chile\u2019s President Gabriel Boric has said it also expresses \u200cits concern and condemnation of the military actions of the United States in Venezuela and called. <\/p>\n
\u201cChile reaffirms its commitment to the basic principles of international law, such as the prohibition of the use of force, non-intervention, the peaceful \u2060settlement of international disputes, and the territorial integrity of States,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
Colombia\u2019s president Gustavo Petro said its government viewed with \u201cdeep concern\u201d the reports of explosions and unusual air activity \u200cin recent \u200bhours \u200din the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, as well as the resulting escalation of tension in the region.<\/p>\n
\u201cColombia reaffirms its unconditional commitment to the principles enshrined in the UN Charter, in particular respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States, the prohibition of the use or threat of use of force, and the peaceful settlement of international disputes,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
\u201cIn this regard, the Colombian Government rejects any unilateral military action that could aggravate the situation or put the civilian population at risk.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"Smoke](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/6IEONGPSPX22ABIKGHEVQFWTM4.jpg\")
Smoke is seen over buildings after explosions and low-flying aircraft were heard on Saturday in Caracas, Venezuela. Photograph: Jesus Vargas\/Getty Images <\/p>\n
Sarah Burns – 2 hours ago<\/p>\n
EU is monitoring situation and calls for restraint <\/p>\n
Kaja Kallas, EU high representative for foreign affairs and security policy and vice-president of the European Commission, said she has spoken with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the ambassador in Caracas. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe EU is closely monitoring the situation in Venezuela,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe EU has repeatedly stated that Mr Maduro lacks legitimacy and has defended a peaceful transition. Under all circumstances, the principles of international law and the UN Charter must be respected. We call for restraint.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe safety of EU citizens in the country is our top priority.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"High](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/SLXVNE55EIT4TR5GXM5MTXTMHA.jpg\")
High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas said the EU calls for restraint. Photograph: Olivier Hoslet\/EPA <\/p>\n
Sarah Burns – 2 hours ago<\/p>\n
British MP and leader of Reform UK Nigel Farage has said the American actions in Venezuela overnight were unorthodox and contrary to international law, but \u201cif they make China and Russia think twice, it may be a good thing\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cI hope the Venezuelan people can now turn a new leaf without Maduro,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
![\"Reform](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/KGDZPRZBLCEAO3CLNYMZXEOVBU.jpg\")
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage. Photograph: Tolga Akmen\/EPA <\/p>\n
Sarah Burns – 2 hours ago<\/p>\n
US attacks on Venezuela mark major international crisis, says Labour Party<\/p>\n
Labour\u2019s foreign affairs spokesperson Duncan Smith has condemned the United States\u2019 attacks on Venezuela and the kidnapping of President Nicol\u00e1s Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores. <\/p>\n
Mr Smith has called for immediate action in New York and Dublin to halt the violence, uphold international law and secure their safe return.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat we are witnessing in Caracas is a situation that demands urgent global action,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe are seeing actions by one of the world\u2019s most powerful states that beggar belief. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe flagrancy with which the United States has acted in Venezuela has shocked the world and undermines the very foundations of international cooperation and respect for sovereign nations.<\/p>\n
\u201cPresident Donald Trump needs to end the attacks on Venezuela and return President Maduro and Cilia Flores to their country immediately. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe United States, under President Trump, seems intent on perpetual conflict despite his repeated talks of peace. Words matter, but they must be backed up by actions that uphold peace and international norms.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Dublin Fingal-East TD said Ireland should call for emergency meetings of both the United Nations Security Council and the United Nations General Assembly so that a ceasefire and a plan for cooperation can be put in place without delay. <\/p>\n
\u201cAs a nation committed to peace, Ireland must not stand on the sidelines,\u201d he added. <\/p>\n
![\"Labour's](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/QSYOOS5EF55NYREWITEUF4SEOE.JPG\")
Labour’s Foreign Affairs spokesperson Duncan Smith has condemned the attack. Photograph: Stephen Collins\/Collins Photos<\/p>\n
Sarah Burns – 2 hours ago<\/p>\n
Who is Nicol\u00e1s Maduro?<\/p>\n
Nicol\u00e1s Maduro was born into a working-class family on November 23, 1962, son of a trade union leader. <\/p>\n
He worked as a bus driver during the time army officer \u200cHugo Chavez led a failed coup attempt in 1992.<\/p>\n
He campaigned for Mr Chavez\u2019s release from prison \u2060and became a fervent supporter of his leftist agenda. He won a seat \u200cin \u200bthe legislature \u200dfollowing Mr Chavez\u2019s 1998 election.<\/p>\n
He rose to become president of the National Assembly and then foreign minister, travelling the globe to build international alliances through oil-financed assistance programmes.<\/p>\n
Mr Chavez named him as \u2060his hand-picked successor and Mr Maduro was narrowly elected president in 2013 following his \u2060death.<\/p>\n
His administration oversaw a spectacular \u2060economic collapse characterised by hyperinflation and chronic shortages. His rule became best known for allegedly rigged elections, food shortages and rights abuses, \u200dincluding harsh crackdowns on protests in 2014 and 2017. Millions of Venezuelans emigrated abroad.<\/p>\n
His government was subject to aggressive sanctions by the US and other powers. In 2020 Washington indicted him on corruption and other charges. Mr Maduro rejected the accusations. <\/p>\n
He was sworn in for a third term in January 2025 following a 2024 election that was widely \u200ccondemned by international observers \u200cand the opposition as fraudulent. Thousands of people who protested the government\u2019s declaration of victory were jailed. <\/p>\n
A UN fact-finding mission found last month \u200cthat the country\u2019s Bolivarian National Guard (GNB) committed serious human rights violations and crimes against humanity over \u2060more than a decade in targeting political opponents, often with impunity. <\/p>\n
His government\u2019s repressive measures were highlighted by the award of the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize to opposition leader Maria Corina Machado. <\/p>\n
![\"Venezuelan](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2H3H2BZCPZEA2WXGG54XYXFL2Y.jpg\")
Venezuelan president Nicol\u00e1s Maduro at a speech in Caracas last November. Photograph: Adriana Loureiro Fernandez\/The New York Times
\n ![\"Venezuela's](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/OE4LJWYRXONMOFQOOCOOH5WNCY.jpg\")
Venezuela’s president Nicol\u00e1s Maduro gestures during a rally to mark the anniversary of the Battle of Santa Ines, in Caracas on December 10, 2025. Photograph: Federico Parra\/AFP via Getty Images <\/p>\n
Sarah Burns – 2 hours ago<\/p>\n
![\"Pedestrians](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/KWAILNQNS6X6BVS54DU7USQ3EQ.jpg\")
Pedestrians walk past the Miraflores presidential palace after explosions and low-flying aircraft were heard in Caracas. Photograph: Cristian Hernandez\/AP ![\"Members](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/GJP6K2K6MGYDEQ2YAPUTHREYHU.jpg\")
Members of the presidential guard stand outside the Miraflores presidential palace after the explosions were heard in Caracas. Photograph: Cristian Hernandez\/AP ![\"Pedestrians](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1767449783_592_IIMMB3PRT355I24Z7E5UCDYL4M.jpg\")
Pedestrians run after explosions and low-flying aircraft were heard in Caracas on Saturday. Photograph: Matias Delacroix\/AP ![\"Fire](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/A4D6QPILAU5OQ2AIXTLECZ4AOA.jpg\")
Fire at Fuerte Tiuna, Venezuela’s largest military complex, after a series of explosions in Caracas on Saturday. Photograph: Luis Jaimes\/AFP via Getty Images <\/p>\n
Sarah Burns – 3 hours ago<\/p>\n
Irish Government must immediately and unequivocally condemn attack, says People Before Profit<\/p>\n
People Before Profit has denounced the attack and called for the Irish Government to condemn the US and demand the release of Mr Maduro.<\/p>\n
The party\u2019s Dublin South-West TD Paul Murphy said it was a \u201cblatant imperialist attack\u201d by the US on Venezuela – \u201cthe latest in a long history of US violence in Latin America\u201d. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe claimed kidnapping of President Maduro and his wife is a brazen violation of Venezuelan sovereignty and a war crime. The US is clearly a terrorist state,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a violent grab for oil, natural resources and power. Venezuela has the world\u2019s largest proven oil reserves and that is the central reason for this latest US attack. The US must stop its assault and must release President Maduro. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe Irish Government must immediately and unequivocally condemn this blatant US violation of Venezuelan sovereignty and demand the release of President Maduro. <\/p>\n
\u201cPeople Before Profit supports the resistance of the people of Venezuela and calls for mobilisations in Ireland and across the world to oppose this US imperialist intervention.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe say, hands off Venezuela.\u201d <\/p>\n
![\"People](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/T23ECKHGUWRZNBI6HM5NTSGFYI.JPG\")
People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy has condemned the attack. Photograph: Sam Boal\/Collins Photos <\/p>\n
Sarah Burns – 3 hours ago<\/p>\n
US president Donald Trump has repeatedly promised land operations in Venezuela, amid efforts to pressure president Nicol\u00e1s Maduro to leave office, including expanded sanctions, a ramped-up US military presence in the region and more than two dozen strikes on vessels allegedly involved in trafficking drugs in the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea.<\/p>\n
Mr Maduro had said in a pre-taped interview aired on Thursday that the US wants to force a government change in Venezuela and gain access to its vast oil reserves through the months-long pressure campaign that began with a massive military deployment to the Caribbean Sea in August.<\/p>\n
Mr Maduro has been charged with narco-terrorism in the US. The CIA was behind a drone strike last week at a docking area believed to have been used by Venezuelan drug cartels in what was the first known direct operation on Venezuelan soil since the US began strikes on boats in September.<\/p>\n
Mr Trump had threatened for months that he could soon order strikes on targets on Venezuelan land.<\/p>\n
![\"US](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/KL5HMNCNLFB3GZ6VTVQVRPUMFA.jpg\")
US president Donald Trump made the announcement on his Truth Social platform. Photograph: Alex Brandon\/AP <\/p>\n
Sarah Burns – 3 hours ago<\/p>\n
Good morning. US president Donald Trump has said Venezuela\u2019s president Nicolas Maduro and his wife have been captured after the US conducted a \u201clarge-scale strike\u201d on the country.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis operation was done in conjunction with US law enforcement. Details to follow,\u201d the US president wrote on social media this morning after eyewitnesses in Venezuela reported a series of explosions.<\/p>\n
Venezuela\u2019s government said the United States attacked its civilian and military installations in multiple states after at least seven explosions and low-flying aircraft were heard early on Saturday in the capital Caracas.<\/p>\n
Mr Maduro earlier declared a state of emergency and called on \u201cpolitical and social forces\u201d to reject the attacks, according to the statement.<\/p>\n
Mr Trump ordered the strikes on sites in Venezuela, a CBS reporter cited US officials as saying.<\/p>\n
Follow irishtimes.com for updates throughout the day.<\/p>\n
![\"Fire](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/PWL44QDORYTABLLZ4S27WZYU3I.jpg\")
Fire is seen at Fuerte Tiuna, Venezuela’s largest military complex, after a series of explosions in Caracas on Saturday. Photograph: AFP via Getty Images <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Main points US president\u00a0Donald Trump\u00a0says Venezuela\u2019s president Nicolas Maduro and his wife have been captured following a \u201clarge…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":265254,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[41],"tags":[9,10,13,14,6,11,12,15,16,5,7,8,4450,65,66,67],"class_list":{"0":"post-265253","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-world","8":"tag-breaking-news","9":"tag-breakingnews","10":"tag-featured-news","11":"tag-featurednews","12":"tag-headlines","13":"tag-latest-news","14":"tag-latestnews","15":"tag-main-news","16":"tag-mainnews","17":"tag-news","18":"tag-top-stories","19":"tag-topstories","20":"tag-venezuela","21":"tag-world","22":"tag-world-news","23":"tag-worldnews"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@ie\/115831595804396681","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/265253","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=265253"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/265253\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/265254"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=265253"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=265253"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=265253"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}