The African Union has strongly condemned the reported abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and US military strikes on Caracas, describing the developments as a grave violation of international law and calling on all parties to exercise utmost restraint to prevent regional escalation.
In an official communiqué released on Friday, the AU expressed deep concern over the fast-moving crisis, reaffirming unwavering commitment to core principles including state sovereignty, territorial integrity, and self-determination enshrined in the United Nations Charter. The statement stressed that disputes must be resolved through dialogue and respect for constitutional frameworks, in a spirit of good neighbourliness and peaceful coexistence.
The continental body insisted that Venezuela’s complex internal challenges can only be sustainably addressed via inclusive political dialogue among Venezuelans themselves, extending solidarity to the people while urging actions to safeguard peace and stability. It highlighted Africa’s historic stance on non-interference and peaceful conflict resolution amid global turmoil.
The AU’s sharp rebuke follows President Donald Trump’s announcement of US forces capturing Maduro and his wife after overnight strikes on military sites in the capital. The intervention has drawn widespread international criticism, with calls for emergency UN meetings and fears of broader instability in Latin America.
As diplomatic fallout intensifies, the African Union’s demand for de-escalation joins a chorus of voices advocating restraint and diplomacy to avert further chaos in the oil-rich nation long gripped by political and economic crises.
