Ramaphosa Calls for Immediate Release of Venezuela’s Maduro, Condemns U.S. Actions
Published on January 7, 2026 at 10:10 AM by Evance Kapito
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for the immediate release of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, condemning the United States’ military action in Venezuela as a violation of international law and the country’s sovereignty.
Speaking at an event in South Africa, Ramaphosa said the U.S. operation which resulted in Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores being detained and flown to the United States undermines established international norms and the United Nations Charter.
He urged the United Nations Security Council to intervene, stressing that the detention of a sovereign leader by foreign forces sets a dangerous global precedent and threatens peace and security.
Maduro and his wife appeared in a U.S. federal court in New York on Monday, where they pleaded not guilty to charges that include drug trafficking. Their next hearing is scheduled for March 17, 2026.
Ramaphosa’s stance aligns with broader condemnation from several countries and political groups, including South Africa’s ruling African National Congress (ANC), which has also called for Maduro’s unconditional release and criticised the U.S. intervention as an assault on Venezuelan sovereignty.
The situation has drawn global attention and raised tensions over U.S. involvement in Venezuela’s internal affairs and the broader implications for international law.
