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World Reacts to US Strikes on Venezuela

People demonstrate against US military action in Venezuela in Boston Common on January 3. 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Joseph Prezioso / AFP)
People demonstrate against US military action in Venezuela in Boston Common on January 3. 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Joseph Prezioso / AFP)
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World Reacts to US Strikes on Venezuela

People demonstrate against US military action in Venezuela in Boston Common on January 3. 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Joseph Prezioso / AFP)
People demonstrate against US military action in Venezuela in Boston Common on January 3. 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Joseph Prezioso / AFP)

Following are reactions in quotes to Saturday's US strikes on Venezuela, according to Reuters.

EUROPEAN UNION HIGH REPRESENTATIVE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS KAJA KALLAS:

"I have spoken with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and our Ambassador in Caracas. The EU is closely monitoring the situation in Venezuela.

"The EU has repeatedly stated that Mr Maduro lacks legitimacy and has defended a peaceful transition. Under all circumstances, the principles of international law and the UN Charter must be respected. We call for restraint."

CHILE'S PRESIDENT GABRIEL BORIC ON X:

"As the Government of Chile, we express our concern and condemnation of the military actions of the United States in Venezuela and call for a peaceful solution to the serious crisis affecting the country."

"Chile reaffirms its commitment to the basic principles of international law, such as the prohibition of the use of force, non-intervention, the peaceful ‌settlement of international disputes, and ‌the territorial integrity of States."

SPANISH FOREIGN MINISTRY:

"Spain calls for de-escalation and moderation, and for action to always be taken in accordance with international law and the principles of the UN Charter."

"In this ‌regard, Spain is willing to offer its good offices to achieve a peaceful and negotiated solution to ‍the current crisis."

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO PRIME MINISTER KAMLA PERSAD-BISSESSAR

"Earlier this morning, Saturday 3rd January ‍2026, the United States commenced military operations within the territory of Venezuela.2

"Trinidad and Tobago is NOT a participant in any of these ongoing military operations. Trinidad and Tobago ‍continues to maintain peaceful relations with the people of Venezuela."

RODERICH KIESEWETTER, PROMINENT MP FROM GERMANY’S CONSERVATIVE CHRISTIAN DEMOCRATIC UNION:

"With President Trump, the US are abandoning the rules-based order that has shaped us since 1945."

"The coup in Venezuela marks a return to the old US doctrine from before 1940: a mindset of thinking in terms of spheres of influence, where the law of force rules, not international law."

"Trump is destroying what was left of any trust in the US"

BRITAIN'S REFORM UK PARTY LEADER NIGEL FARAGE

"The American actions in Venezuela overnight are unorthodox and contrary to international law - but if they make China and Russia think twice, it may be a good thing."

"I hope the Venezuelan people can now turn a new leaf without Maduro."

ITALIAN OPPOSITION PARTY LEADER AND FORMER PRIME MINISTER GIUSEPPE CONTE:

"The American aggression against Venezuela has no legal basis. We are facing a blatant violation ⁠of international law, which certifies the dominance of the strongest and best equipped militarily... I hope that the entire international community will make its voice heard and that everyone will understand that if rules only apply to enemies and not to friends, no one can feel safe anymore. Nor can the illiberal nature of a government's rule justify an attack to a sovereign state".

UK CHATHAM HOUSE THINK TANK'S PROGRAMME DIRECTOR FOR INTERNATIONAL LAW, MARC WELLER

"International law prohibits the use of force as a means of national policy. Short of a UN Chapter VII mandate, force is only available in response to an armed attack or possibly to rescue a population under imminent threat of extermination."

"Clearly, none of these requirements are fulfilled by the armed operation against Venezuela. The US interest in repressing the drugs trade or claims that the Maduro government was in essence a criminal enterprise offers no legal justification."

INDONESIA'S FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESPERSON, YVONNE MEWENGKANG:

Indonesia is monitoring developments in Venezuela to ensure the safety of its citizens.

"Indonesia also calls on all relevant parties to prioritize peaceful resolution through de-escalation and dialogue, while prioritizing the protection of civilians."

"Indonesia emphasizes the importance of respecting international law and the principles of the UN Charter."

BELARUS FOREIGN MINISTRY

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus categorically condemns the armed aggression committed on January 3, 2026, against the sovereign state of Venezuela and considers it a direct threat to international peace and security."

"The Belarusian side declares its unwavering support for the legitimate government of Venezuela ... ‌The Republic of Belarus emphasizes that the right of the Venezuelan people to determine their own destiny is inviolable. No form of external interference, especially by force, can be justified."

LEBANESE ARMED GROUP HEZBOLLAH

"Hezbollah condemns the terrorist aggression and American thuggery against the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela..."

"Hezbollah further affirms its full solidarity with Venezuela - its people, presidency, and government - in confronting this American aggression and arrogance".

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World

Pakistan Warns That Afghanistan Is Becoming ‘Hub for Terrorists’ and Poses Regional Threat

This photograph taken on December 29, 2025 shows a Taliban security personnel standing guard near the zero-point border crossing between Afghanistan and Pakistan at the Spin Boldak district of Kandahar province. (AFP)
This photograph taken on December 29, 2025 shows a Taliban security personnel standing guard near the zero-point border crossing between Afghanistan and Pakistan at the Spin Boldak district of Kandahar province. (AFP)
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Pakistan Warns That Afghanistan Is Becoming ‘Hub for Terrorists’ and Poses Regional Threat

This photograph taken on December 29, 2025 shows a Taliban security personnel standing guard near the zero-point border crossing between Afghanistan and Pakistan at the Spin Boldak district of Kandahar province. (AFP)
This photograph taken on December 29, 2025 shows a Taliban security personnel standing guard near the zero-point border crossing between Afghanistan and Pakistan at the Spin Boldak district of Kandahar province. (AFP)

Pakistan’s military on Tuesday warned that Afghanistan is becoming a “hub for terrorists and non-state actors,” widening its allegations to assert that its Taliban government is patronizing al-Qaeda, the ISIS group and the Pakistani Taliban.

Military spokesman Lt. Gen. Ahmad Sharif Chaudhry also told a news conference, without offering evidence, that about 2,500 foreign militants recently entered Afghanistan from Syria following the ouster there of former President Bashar al-Assad. Chaudhry asserted that the militants were invited to Afghanistan.

“These terrorists are neither Pakistanis nor Afghan citizens and belong to other nationalities,” Chaudhry said, adding that the reemergence of international militant groups could pose security risks beyond neighboring Afghanistan’s borders.

There was no immediate comment from Kabul to Chaudhry's claim. Syria’s nearly 14-year civil war ended with Assad's ouster in December 2024, but left behind a patchwork of armed groups on all sides of the conflict, shaped by years of foreign intervention.

Fighters from Syria have since taken part in other wars in the region and beyond, including Turkish-backed combatants sent to Libya and militants recruited by Russia to fight in Ukraine. Foreign fighters have joined Syrian opposition factions, pro-government forces and extremist groups such as the ISIS group.

Chaudhry's remarks came a day after Pakistan and China called for more “visible and verifiable” measures to eliminate militant organizations operating from Afghan territory and to prevent it from being used for attacks against other countries.

Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have deteriorated in recent months, with tensions occasionally spilling into violence. In October, the countries came close to a wider conflict after Pakistan carried out airstrikes on what it described as Pakistani Taliban hideouts inside Afghanistan. Kabul retaliated by targeting Pakistani military posts. The fighting ended after Qatar brokered a ceasefire.

Pakistan has long accused Afghanistan and India of backing the Pakistani Taliban, known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, and the outlawed Baloch National Army. Both Kabul and New Delhi deny the allegations.

Chaudhry also said Pakistan killed 2,597 militants in 2025, up from 1,053 a year earlier. The country recorded 5,397 militant attacks, up from 3,014 in 2024.

“Yes, this is a big number,” he said of the 2025 attacks. “Why? Because we are engaging them everywhere.” He added that Afghan nationals were involved in almost all major attacks inside Pakistan last year.

World

Danish Prime Minister Says a US Takeover of Greenland Would Mark the End of NATO

File photo: Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen speaks to the media after a meeting of the so-called "coalition of the willing" in London, Friday, October 24, 2025. Kirsty Wigglesworth, AP
File photo: Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen speaks to the media after a meeting of the so-called "coalition of the willing" in London, Friday, October 24, 2025. Kirsty Wigglesworth, AP
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Danish Prime Minister Says a US Takeover of Greenland Would Mark the End of NATO

File photo: Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen speaks to the media after a meeting of the so-called "coalition of the willing" in London, Friday, October 24, 2025. Kirsty Wigglesworth, AP
File photo: Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen speaks to the media after a meeting of the so-called "coalition of the willing" in London, Friday, October 24, 2025. Kirsty Wigglesworth, AP

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said Monday an American takeover of Greenland would amount to the end of the NATO military alliance. Her comments came in response to US President Donald Trump's renewed call for the strategic, mineral-rich Arctic island to come under US control in the aftermath of the weekend military operation in Venezuela.

The dead-of-night operation by US forces in Caracas to capture leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife early Saturday left the world stunned, and heightened concerns in Denmark and Greenland, which is a semiautonomous territory of the Danish kingdom and thus part of NATO, The Associated Press said.

Frederiksen and her Greenlandic counterpart, Jens Frederik Nielsen, blasted the president's comments and warned of catastrophic consequences. Numerous European leaders expressed solidarity with them.

“If the United States chooses to attack another NATO country militarily, then everything stops,” Frederiksen told Danish broadcaster TV2 on Monday. “That is, including our NATO and thus the security that has been provided since the end of the Second World War.”

20-day timeline deepens fears Trump called repeatedly during his presidential transition and the early months of his second term for US jurisdiction over Greenland, and has not ruled out military force to take control of the island. His comments Sunday, including telling reporters “let’s talk about Greenland in 20 days,” further deepened fears that the US was planning an intervention in Greenland in the near future.

Frederiksen also said Trump “should be taken seriously” when he says he wants Greenland. “We will not accept a situation where we and Greenland are threatened in this way,” she added.

Nielsen, in a news conference Monday, said Greenland cannot be compared to Venezuela. He urged his constituents to stay calm and united.

“We are not in a situation where we think that there might be a takeover of the country overnight and that is why we are insisting that we want good cooperation,” he said.

Nielsen added: “The situation is not such that the United States can simply conquer Greenland.”

Ask Rostrup, a TV2 political journalist, wrote on the station's live blog Monday that Mette previously would have flatly rejected the idea of an American takeover of Greenland. But now, Rostrup wrote, the rhetoric has escalated so much that she has to acknowledge the possibility.

Trump slams Denmark's security efforts in Greenland

Trump on Sunday also mocked Denmark’s efforts at boosting Greenland’s national security posture, saying the Danes have added “one more dog sled” to the Arctic territory’s arsenal.

“It’s so strategic right now,” Trump had told reporters Sunday as he flew back to Washington from his home in Florida. “Greenland is covered with Russian and Chinese ships all over the place.”

He added: “We need Greenland from the standpoint of national security, and Denmark is not going to be able to do it."

But Ulrik Pram Gad, a global security expert from the Danish Institute for International Studies, wrote in a report last year that “there are indeed Russian and Chinese ships in the Arctic, but these vessels are too far away to see from Greenland with or without binoculars.”

US space base in northwestern Greenland

Greenlanders and Danes were further rankled this weekend by a social media post following the raid by a former Trump administration official turned podcaster, Katie Miller. The post shows an illustrated map of Greenland in the colors of the Stars and Stripes accompanied by the caption: “SOON.”

“And yes, we expect full respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark,” Ambassador Jesper Møller Sørensen, Denmark’s chief envoy to Washington, said in a post responding to Miller, who is married to Trump’s influential deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller.

The US Department of Defense operates the remote Pituffik Space Base in northwestern Greenland. It was built following a 1951 defense agreement between Denmark and the United States. It supports missile warning, missile defense and space surveillance operations for the US and NATO.

On Denmark’s mainland, the partnership between the US and Denmark has been long-lasting. The Danes buy American F-35 fighter jets and just last year, Denmark’s parliament approved a bill to allow US military bases on Danish soil.

Critics say the vote ceded Danish sovereignty to the US

The legislation widens a previous military agreement, made in 2023 with the Biden administration, where US troops had broad access to Danish air bases in the Scandinavian country.

World

Gas Explosion Kills One in Western Russian City

Representation photo: Firefighters work at the site of car garages hit by a Russian missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Chernihiv, Ukraine, January 5, 2026. REUTERS/Maksym Kishka
Representation photo: Firefighters work at the site of car garages hit by a Russian missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Chernihiv, Ukraine, January 5, 2026. REUTERS/Maksym Kishka
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Gas Explosion Kills One in Western Russian City

Representation photo: Firefighters work at the site of car garages hit by a Russian missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Chernihiv, Ukraine, January 5, 2026. REUTERS/Maksym Kishka
Representation photo: Firefighters work at the site of car garages hit by a Russian missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Chernihiv, Ukraine, January 5, 2026. REUTERS/Maksym Kishka

A gas explosion in an apartment block in Russia's western city of Tver killed one person early Tuesday, regional authorities said, after earlier blaming a Ukrainian drone attack.

"The preliminary conclusion of experts is that the cause was a household gas explosion," Tver regional governor Vitaly Korolev said on Telegram.

"Initially, it was mistaken as the result of falling drone debris, since measures to repel an attack were indeed being taken in the region at that time," he added.

Household fires and gas incidents are not uncommon across Russia.

Moscow's defense ministry said Ukrainian drones were downed overnight in some 20 different regions, including six over Tver.

Last month, Ukrainian drone debris triggered a fire in an apartment block in Tver, a city some 180 kilometers (110 miles) from Moscow, wounding seven people.