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Various countries condemn US for illegally taking Venezuela president in military strike

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Various countries condemn US for illegally taking Venezuela president in military strike

2026-01-04 14:48 Last Updated At:01-05 13:26

U.S. military action against Venezuela has sparked condemnation worldwide, with multiple countries calling for a coordinated global response.

On Saturday, President Donald Trump announced that American forces had struck the country and captured President Nicolas Maduro, who was flown out along with his wife.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot on Saturday voiced strong opposition to the U.S. military operation on Saturday.

In a statement posted on his official X account, Barrot warned that such actions erode the foundations of international law and will have serious consequences for global security, which will spare no one.

He stressed that no lasting political solution can be imposed from outside and that sovereign peoples alone decide their own future.

France reiterates its commitment to the Charter of the United Nations, which must continue to guide the international action of States, always and everywhere, Barrot said.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on social media that the Spanish government is closely following the events in Venezuela and both the Spanish embassy and consulates are operating.

Sanchez called for de-escalation and for responsibility, stressing that "International Law needs to be respected."

The Spanish Ministry for Foreign Affairs also issued a communique which called for de-escalation and moderation, and for all actions to be respected in accordance with International Law and the principles of the UN Charter.

According to official figures, around 136,000 Spanish citizens were registered as living in Venezuela in 2023.

The Spanish Foreign Ministry said it was closely monitoring the situation of the Spanish community in the country, and confirmed that staff at the Embassy and Consulate of Spain in Caracas, as well as their families, are safe.

Italian foreign minister Antonio Tajani on Saturday said on social media that the government and its diplomatic representation in Caracas were monitoring any developments of the situation in Venezuela with particular attention to the Italian community in the country.

Türkiye' Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement on Saturday that the country attaches importance to the stability of Venezuela and to the peace and well being of the people of Venezuela.

The ministry calls on all parties to exercise restraint in order to prevent the current situation from leading to adverse consequences for regional and international security.

Türkiye stands ready to provide any constructive contribution towards resolving the crisis in Venezuela within the framework of international law, the statement said.

Cemil Ertem, senior advisor to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, said on his social media that Türkiye stands with the Venezuelan people and President Maduro, calling the US actions "banditry" and saying that it can never escape punishment.

Hezbollah in Lebanon issued a statement strongly condemning the U.S. for its "terrorist aggression and bullying" against Venezuela. The statement said that the U.S. military strike against Caracas, as well as important civilian facilities and residential areas, and the illegal capturing of President Maduro and his wife were an unprecedented and flagrant violation of an independent and sovereign country, and also a serious violation of international law and the Charter of the United Nations.

Various countries condemn US for illegally taking Venezuela president in military strike

Various countries condemn US for illegally taking Venezuela president in military strike

Various countries condemn US for illegally taking Venezuela president in military strike

Various countries condemn US for illegally taking Venezuela president in military strike

The Republic of Korea (ROK) is planning to roll out new promotions in the coming months to cater to the growing number of Chinese visitors, an official with the ROK Tourism Organization said on Monday.

Two-way tourism between China and the ROK has significantly benefited from policy support by both countries in recent years.

The number of visitors from the ROK surged after China introduced visa-free entry for ROK passport holders in November 2024, with Shanghai and its neighboring cities becoming top destinations. At the end of September 2025, the ROK implemented a temporary visa-free policy for Chinese tour groups lasting nine months as a positive response to China's unilateral visa exemption for ROK visitors.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN) in Shanghai, Lee Yong, director of the ROK Tourism Organization's Shanghai Office, offered her insights into the growing exchange between the two countries.

"As of the end of November 2025, some 5.09 million Chinese tourists had visited the Republic of Korea, reaching about 92 percent of the pre-pandemic 2019 level. Meanwhile, flying to Shanghai after work on Fridays has become a growing trend among young Koreans," she said.

From January to September of 2025, the ROK was Shanghai's top source of international visitors, with the number of trips to the city reaching over 620,000, an increase of 121 percent year on year.

ROK President Lee Jae Myung arrived in Shanghai on Tuesday as part of a state visit to China from January 4 to 7. According to Lee Yong, the Korean travel industry is eager to see closer ties and cooperation between the countries, especially ahead of the Spring Festival, a major holiday for both China and the ROK.

"Overall, President Lee Jae Myung's visit to China is expected to help rebuild bilateral trust, strengthen exchanges, and further boost Chinese travel demand to Korea. During the nine-day Spring Festival holiday from February 15 to 23, 2026, Chinese tourist arrivals are likely to increase. In response, the Korea Tourism Organization plans to launch promotional activities under the 'Spring Festival All-Korea Pass' in the first quarter of 2026 to accommodate this anticipated surge in travel," she said.

ROK to draw more Chinese tourists through new promotions: official

ROK to draw more Chinese tourists through new promotions: official

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