GEORGETOWN, Guyana — The Government of Guyana said Saturday it is closely monitoring developments in Venezuela following a major U.S. military operation that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
President Dr. Irfaan Ali said in a statement on X (formerly twitter) that Guyana is watching the situation with “great interest,” stressing that stability, adherence to the rule of law and a democratic transition are vital for the future of Venezuela and the wider Americas.
“The Government of Guyana continues to monitor the developments in Venezuela following the capture of Nicolás Maduro by the United States of America in Venezuela,” Ali said, adding that Guyana supports efforts that uphold democratic norms and help ensure the region “remains a Zone of Peace.”
Ali also welcomed what he described as U.S. leadership in reaffirming shared commitments to freedom, democracy and regional security, and expressed his government’s readiness for constructive engagement in Venezuela’s next chapter for the benefit of all Venezuelans.
The U.S. action, which unfolded early Saturday, involved airstrikes across northern Venezuela and the reported capture of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, by U.S. military and intelligence personnel. Venezuelan authorities declared a state of emergency as explosions were heard in and around Caracas and other strategic locations. Maduro and Flores were flown out of the country to face charges in the United States.
The operation, dubbed “Operation Absolute Resolve,” marked the first time U.S. forces have captured a sitting Latin American head of state in decades. It followed months of mounting tension between Washington and Caracas, including U.S. strikes on vessels in the Caribbean said to be linked to drug trafficking and efforts to tighten economic and oil-related sanctions.
Guyana shares a long-standing border and diplomatic controveray with Venezuela over the resource-rich Essequibo region. While relations have been fraught in recent years, including past military posturing and legal battles at the International Court of Justice, Ali’s statement underscored his government’s emphasis on peace and legal norms in addressing regional concerns.
The situation in Venezuela remains fluid, with uncertainty about the country’s immediate political direction and the implications for migration, regional economies and diplomatic ties across the Americas. International attention is focused on how Venezuela’s next chapter will unfold and what role external powers, including the United States and neighboring Caribbean and Latin American states, might play.