Kuala lumpur: Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Sunday called for the release of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife "without any undue delay," following their capture by the United States in a military operation that took place a day earlier. Anwar expressed his concerns over the incident on the US social media platform X, emphasizing that the operation represented an "unlawful use of force against a sovereign state."
According to Anadolu Agency, Anwar highlighted that the actions taken against Maduro and his wife were a "clear violation of international law." He argued that the "forcible removal" of a sitting government leader by external forces undermines the fundamental checks on the exercise of power between nations and threatens the international legal framework. The Malaysian premier asserted that the people of Venezuela should have the autonomy to decide their political future.
Anwar further articulated Malaysia's stance on the importance of respecting international law and sovereignty as cornerstones for peaceful international relations. He advocated for "constructive engagement, dialogue, and de-escalation" as the most viable means to ensure civilian protection and enable Venezuelans to achieve their legitimate aspirations without further conflict.
The situation escalated on Saturday when Venezuela's government accused the United States of launching attacks on civilian and military sites across various states, leading to a state of national emergency. US President Donald Trump later confirmed the "large-scale" operation, announcing that Maduro and his wife had been "captured and flown out of the country." The conflict follows months of increasing US pressure on Maduro, who has been accused by Washington of drug trafficking-claims that the Venezuelan leader has consistently denied, expressing a willingness to engage in dialogue instead.