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Venezuela’s captured President Nicolas Maduro poses next to U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) administrator Terry Cole as he is led in custody from a U.S. federal airplane, at Stewart Air National Guard Base in Newburgh, New York, US, January 3, 2026.
International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola has emphasised South Africa’s commitment to principle-based leadership at home and abroad, following dramatic developments in Latin America.
Lamola says the South African government was taken aback by the posture adopted by the United States, describing it as a violation of the United Nations Charter, Venezuela’s territorial integrity, and the principles that should govern respect for the sovereignty of states.
He adds that South Africa has called for an urgent sitting of the United Nations Security Council and says the government is looking forward to the meeting scheduled for later on Monday afternoon.
DIRCO Minister and #ANCNEC member Ronald Lamola speaks on the UN Security Council meeting that will take place later today on the invasion of Venezuela by the United States of America and the abduction of President Nicholas Maduro.
“What is important is this matter will be… pic.twitter.com/qgMZJMzuyH
— #LordOfTheMedia (@samkelemaseko) January 5, 2026
Similarly, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Head of International Relations, Nqobile Mhlongo, says the party is calling for the immediate release of Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro and his wife.
Mhlongo was reacting to reports that Maduro and his wife were detained by United States authorities over the weekend and are now in the US facing charges, including for alleged drug trafficking offences.
She says the EFF strongly condemns what it describes as US interference in Venezuela’s internal affairs, warning that such actions undermine the sovereignty of independent states.
Mhlongo added that Venezuela is neither a satellite state nor a disputed territory of the United States, and that any unilateral action against its leadership violates international law.
Video| EFF condemns Venezuela’s political developments:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5LRubI2_Go
