KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim expressed grave concern over recent developments in Venezuela after its president, Nicolas Maduro, and his wife were captured in a United States military operation.
Anwar said the operation, described as unusual in scope and nature, constitutes a clear violation of international law and amounts to an unlawful use of force against a sovereign state.
“President Maduro and his wife must be released without any undue delay.
“Whatever the reasons may be, the forcible removal of a sitting head of government through external action sets a dangerous precedent.
“It erodes fundamental restraints on the use of power between states and weakens the legal framework that underpins international order,” he said in a post on X today.
He said the political future of Venezuela must be determined solely by its own people.
“As history has shown, abrupt changes in leadership brought about through external force will do more harm than good, especially in a country already grappling with prolonged economic hardship and deep social strain.”
Reaffirming Malaysia’s foreign policy principles, Anwar said respect for international law and national sovereignty remains central to peaceful relations between states.
“Constructive engagement, dialogue, and de-escalation remain the most credible paths toward outcomes that protect civilians and allow Venezuelans to pursue their legitimate aspirations without further harm.”
On Saturday, President Donald Trump said the US struck Venezuela and captured its long-serving president after months of pressuring him over accusations of drug trafficking and illegitimacy in power.
“The United States of America has successfully carried out a large-scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro, who has been captured along with his wife and flown out of the country,” Trump said in a Truth Social post.
The US had accused Maduro of running a “narco-state” and rigging last year’s election, which the opposition claimed it won overwhelmingly.
The Venezuelan leader, who succeeded Hugo Chavez in 2013, has said Washington wants to take control of Venezuela’s oil reserves, the largest in the world.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
