In it, Sanchez noted that Spain did not recognize the regime of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
“But it also does not recognize intervention that violates international law and pushes the region towards uncertainty and belligerence,” the head of the Spanish government added.
Madrid “calls on all participants to think about the civilian population, respect the Charter of the United Nations and promote a just transition through dialogue,” Sánchez stressed.
España no reconoció al régimen de Maduro. Pero tampoco reconocerá una intervención que viola el derecho internacional y empuja a la región a un horizonte de incertidumbre y belicismo.
Pedimos a todos los actores que piensen en la población civil, que respeten la Carta de…
— Pedro Sánchez (@sanchezcastejon) January 3, 2026
Canada also supports the peaceful transition process in Venezuela, its Prime Minister Mark Carney indicated on January 4.
“Canada has not recognized the illegitimate Maduro regime since it stole the 2018 election. Therefore, the Canadian government welcomes the opportunity for freedom, democracy, peace and prosperity for the Venezuelan people,” Carney wrote.
Canada “calls on all parties to respect international law,” he said.
One of the first actions taken by Canada's new government in March 2025 was to impose additional sanctions on Nicolás Maduro's brutally oppressive and criminal regime — unequivocally condemning his grave breaches of international peace and security, gross and systematic human…
— Mark Carney (@MarkJCarney) January 3, 2026
Context
On the night of January 3, the United States struck attacks on the capital of Venezuela, Caracas.
Maduro announced in the country state of emergency and mobilization. He said the US goal is to “seize Venezuela's strategic resources, including its oil and minerals.” USA detained and taken away from Venezuela Maduro and his wife Celia Flores, US President Donald Trump said. According to CBS, they were captured by the elite special forces unit of the US Army, Delta.
According to Attorney General Pam Bondi, Maduro and Flores brought charges conspiracy to commit narcoterrorism, conspiracy to import cocaine, unlawful possession of machine guns and explosive devices, and conspiracy to possess machine guns and explosive devices against the United States.
According to CNN, Maduro taken to pre-trial detention center in New York. Maduro is expected to appear in Manhattan Federal Court next week.
