China is?deeply?shocked by and strongly condemns the United States blatant use of force against a sovereign state and action against?its president, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Saturday following US military strikes against Venezuela.

"Such?hegemonic acts of the US seriously violate international law and Venezuela's sovereignty, and threaten peace and security in Latin America and the Caribbean region. China firmly opposes it," the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson called on?the US to abide by international law?and the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, and stop violating other countries' sovereignty and security.

According to reports, US President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that?the US?had "successfully" carried out a large-scale strike against Venezuela, and said its leader, President?Nicolas?Maduro, along with his wife, had been taken?and "flown out of the country".

LONDON -- British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said that Britain was "not involved in any way" in the US operation in Venezuela, according to British media reports on Saturday.

In remarks recorded for British broadcasters, Starmer said he had not spoken to US President Donald Trump about Washington's capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

"It is obviously a fast-moving situation and we need to establish all the facts," he said, adding that he is seeking more information before making further comment.

Starmer said there were about 500 British nationals in Venezuela, and that the government was working with the embassy to ensure they were well looked after, safeguarded and given appropriate advice.

US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that the United States has struck Venezuela and captured its President Nicolas Maduro, who was flown out of the country along with his wife.

Venezuela on Saturday denounced a "military aggression" by the United States, after large explosions were heard and aircraft were seen over the capital Caracas earlier in the day.

JOHANNESBURG -- Venezuelan Ambassador to South Africa Carlos Feo Acevedo on Saturday strongly condemned US military aggression against Venezuela, describing it as a "clear kidnapping" of President Nicolas Maduro and a serious violation of international law.

Acevedo made the remarks during an interview with Russia Today, a Russian media group. "It is a clear violation and a clear criminal terrorist act perpetrated by the US administration against Venezuela," he said, accusing Washington of breaching international norms, including the UN Charter, as well as its own domestic laws.

The United States conducted "criminal strikes against the people of Venezuela," the ambassador said, noting that the objective was to exert control over the country's natural resources.

The US military launched a series of attacks against Venezuela early Saturday morning, during which Maduro was captured and flown out of the country along with his wife. US Attorney General Pam Bondi said Maduro will face trial in the United States.

The military action against the South American nation has drawn widespread international condemnation, with multiple countries calling for a coordinated global response.

The Foreign Ministry and the Chinese Embassy in Venezuela on Saturday advised Chinese citizens to temporarily refrain from traveling to Venezuela, citing a sharp deterioration in the country's security situation.

The advisory followed the United States' military strikes against Venezuela on Saturday, which have significantly heightened security risks across the country.

Chinese citizens and institutions currently in Venezuela have been urged to closely monitor local security developments, strengthen safety precautions and emergency preparedness, and avoid unnecessary outings. They were also advised to stay clear of conflict zones and other sensitive areas.

In case of emergency, Chinese nationals are instructed to contact local police immediately and seek assistance from the Chinese Embassy in Venezuela, the notice said.

CARACAS/WASHINGTON -- The US military launched a series of attacks against Venezuela early Saturday morning, reportedly capturing President Nicolas Maduro and flying him out of the country.

Venezuela's Vice-President Delcy Rodriguez, speaking on a state-run television station, said the whereabouts of Maduro and his wife are unknown, asking for proof they are alive.

The US military action against the South American nation has drawn widespread international condemnation, with multiple countries calling for a coordinated global response.

WHAT HAPPENED?

A Xinhua correspondent based in Caracas reported early Saturday morning that low-flying aircraft were spotted, and clouds of smoke were seen following loud explosion sounds in the Venezuelan capital.

Photos and videos circulating on social media showed smoke rising from multiple locations in the capital, with residents seen fleeing in the streets.

Reports said brief power outages occurred in some areas, including a military base in Caracas.

According to media reports, the US Federal Aviation Administration had banned US commercial flights from Venezuelan airspace due to "ongoing military activity" shortly before the explosions were reported.

Hours after the incident, CBS White House correspondent Jennifer Jacobs said that US President Donald Trump had ordered the strikes, citing US officials. FOX News also reported that US officials had confirmed the military action.

Following the attacks, Venezuela condemned the incident as "military aggression" by the United States. The Venezuelan government said that the military strike targeted civilian and military sites in at least four states of the country, including Caracas, as well as the states of Miranda, Aragua and La Guaira, adding that the US action blatantly violated the United Nations Charter.

Later in the day, Trump in a Truth Social post that Maduro and his wife had been captured and flown out of Venezuela.

"The United States of America has successfully carried out a large scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the Country," Trump said in the post.

For months, the United States has maintained a significant military presence in the Caribbean, much of it off Venezuela's coast, purportedly to combat drug trafficking — a claim Venezuela has denounced as an attempt to bring about regime change in Caracas.

WIDESPREAD CONDEMNATION

Colombian President Gustavo Petro on Saturday called for an urgent meeting of the Organization of American States and the United Nations on the attack in Venezuela. "Caracas is currently being bombed ... Venezuela has been attacked," he wrote on social media platform X.

On the same day, Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel condemned what he described as the "criminal US attack" against Venezuela, demanding an urgent response from the international community.

In a social media post, the president said that the Latin American region was being brutally assaulted, and "this is state terrorism against the brave Venezuelan people and against Our America."

Meanwhile, the Russian Foreign Ministry said that the United States committed "an act of armed aggression" against Venezuela, which causes deep concern and condemnation.

Konstantin Kosachev, deputy speaker of Russia's Federation Council, said the US military operation against Venezuela has no legitimate basis as the South American country has posed no threat to the United States.

Kosachev stressed that the international order should be based on international law rather than on so-called rules imposed by individual countries. He said international law has clearly been violated, adding that "an order established in this manner must not prevail."

Kosachev also said he believed that most countries would firmly distance themselves from the attack on Venezuela and condemn it.

Also on Saturday, Iran's Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the US military attack against Venezuela as a "flagrant violation" of the Latin American state's national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

It said the US military attack against Venezuela was an "act of aggression and in clear violation" of the fundamental principles of the UN Charter and international law, which bans the use of force against sovereign states.

It called on the United Nations as well as all governments caring about the rule of law and international peace and security to immediately and explicitly condemn the US attack.

The Spanish Foreign Ministry on Saturday also said that Spain calls for a deescalation as well as moderation and respect for international law in Venezuela.

BRUSSELS -- European Council President Antonio Costa said on Saturday the European Union (EU) was following the situation in Venezuela "with great concern" and urged de-escalation.

"The European Union calls for de-escalation and a resolution in full respect of international law and the principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations," he wrote on X.

He said the bloc would continue to support a peaceful, democratic and inclusive solution in Venezuela, and backed efforts by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, working with member states, to ensure the safety of European citizens in the country.

Earlier on Saturday, Kallas said the EU was closely monitoring developments and called for restraint, stressing that the principles of international law and the United Nations Charter must be respected.

Kallas said she had spoken with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the EU ambassador in Caracas, adding that the safety of EU citizens in Venezuela was the bloc's top priority.

US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that the United States has struck Venezuela and captured its President Nicolas Maduro, who was flown out of the country along with his wife.

Venezuela on Saturday denounced a "military aggression" by the United States, after large explosions were heard and aircraft were seen over the capital Caracas earlier in the day.

WASHINGTON? -- US Attorney General Pam Bondi said Saturday morning that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro will "soon face the full wrath of American justice on American soil in American courts" after he was captured and flown out of the oil-rich South American nation.

BERLIN -- The German government's crisis team convened at the Federal Foreign Office on Saturday to discuss the situation in Venezuela.

The foreign office said in a statement that they are monitoring the situation in Venezuela very closely and following the latest reports with the greatest concern, according to the website of Tagesschau, flagship news program of German public broadcaster ARD.

The ministry added that it remains in close contact with the German embassy in Caracas.

Describing the current situation as "still unclear in parts," the ministry noted that the German government is coordinating its response closely with international partners.

Earlier on Saturday, the United States launched a large-scale strike on Venezuela, during which Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife were "captured and flown out of Venezuela," according to a post by US President Donald Trump on his Truth Social account.

WASHINGTON/CARACAS -- US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that the United States has struck Venezuela and captured its President Nicolas Maduro, who was flown out of the country along with his wife.

"The United States of America has successfully carried out a large scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the Country," Trump said in a Truth Social post, adding that the operation "was done in conjunction with US Law Enforcement."

He also announced a news conference scheduled for 11 am local time (1600 GMT) on Saturday at Mar-a-Lago, Florida.

Low-flying aircraft were spotted, and clouds of smoke were seen following loud explosion sounds at around 2:00 am (0600 GMT) Saturday in Caracas, sending people rushing into the streets and causing brief power outages in parts of the capital, including at a military base.

Shortly after the strike started, the Venezuelan government denounced the "military aggression" by the United States, adding that the strike targeted civilian and military sites in at least four states of the country.

Following Trump's announcement, Venezuelan Vice-president Delcy Rodriguez said on state TV that the government does not know the whereabouts of Maduro and his wife, adding, "We demand proof of life."

Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez said in a video posted to social media that the US military on early Saturday rocked urban areas across Venezuela with missiles and rockets. "This invasion represents the biggest insult the country has ever faced," Padrino said. "Far from a supposed fight against narcoterrorism, this deplorable action seeks to force a regime change."

The minister announced a deployment of military forces across the country to resist the presence of foreign troops.

The New York Times reported on Saturday, citing a US government official, that there were no casualties on the US side in the military operation against Venezuela.

The US Federal Aviation Administration on early Saturday morning barred US aircraft from flying at any altitude within Venezuelan airspace following reports of explosions in Caracas, citing "safety-of-flight risks associated with ongoing military activity."

Republican US Senator Mike Lee said on social media Saturday that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had told him Maduro was arrested by US forces to stand trial on criminal charges in the United States, according to multiple media reports.

Over the past months, the United States has maintained a significant military presence in the Caribbean, including the USS Gerald R. Ford, an aircraft carrier, and about 15,000 troops, much of it off Venezuela's coast, purportedly to combat drug trafficking -- a claim Venezuela has denounced as a thinly veiled attempt to bring about regime change in Caracas.

MOSCOW -- A US military operation against Venezuela has no legitimate basis since the South American country has posed no threat to the United States, Konstantin Kosachev, deputy speaker of Russia's Federation Council, said on Saturday.

"Without any doubt, Venezuela has created no threats to the United States -- neither military, nor humanitarian, nor criminal, nor drug-related," Kosachev wrote on his Telegram channel.

"Therefore, the current military operation, like the actions taken against Venezuela over recent days and weeks, has no substantive grounds," he said.

Kosachev stressed that the international order should be based on international law rather than on so-called rules imposed by individual countries. He said international law has clearly been violated, adding that "an order established in this manner must not prevail."

Kosachev also expressed confidence that most nations would firmly distance themselves from the attack on Venezuela and condemn it.

Venezuela demands UN Security Council hold an emergency meeting

Several countries have issued strong condemnations over the United States for its attack on Venezuela early Saturday, during which Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife were claimed to have been "captured and flown out of Venezuela."

Venezuela on Saturday denounced the US' "military aggression", after large explosions were heard and aircraft were seen over its capital Caracas earlier in the day.

The Venezuelan government said the military strike targeted civilian and military sites in at least four states, including Caracas, Miranda, Aragua and La Guaira, adding that the US' action blatantly violated the UN Charter.

In a statement, the Venezuelan government said President Nicolas Maduro had "ordered all national defense plans to be implemented" and declared a "state of external disturbance".

Colombian President Gustavo Petro on Saturday called for an urgent meeting of the Organization of American States and the UN to discuss the attack in Venezuela.

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel condemned what he described as the "criminal US attack" against Venezuela, demanding an urgent response from the international community.

In a social media post, the president stressed that the region of peace (Latin America) is being brutally assaulted, and labeled the attack as a "state terrorism against the brave Venezuelan people and against Our America."

Expressing its deep concern and condemnation, the Russian Foreign Ministry said that the United States had committed "an act of armed aggression" against Venezuela.

Iran's Foreign Ministry also strongly condemned the military attack, calling it a "flagrant violation" of the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

In a statement, the ministry described the attack as an "act of aggression" and a clear breach of the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter and international law prohibiting the use of force against sovereign states.

TEHRAN -- Iran's Foreign Ministry on Saturday strongly condemned the US military attack on Venezuela, calling it a "flagrant violation" of the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

In a statement, the ministry described the attack as an "act of aggression" and a clear breach of the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter and international law prohibiting the use of force against sovereign states.

Earlier on Saturday, the United States launched a large-scale strike on Venezuela, during which Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife were "captured and flown out of Venezuela," according to a post by US President Donald Trump on his Truth Social account.

Iran reaffirmed Venezuela's right to defend its national sovereignty, territorial integrity and right to self-determination, and urged the international community to fulfill its legal and moral responsibility by immediately halting what it described as a US "invasion" of the country.

The remarks come amid rising tensions between Iran and the United States. On Friday, Tehran said it would "forcefully reject" any interference in its internal affairs after Trump warned that Washington would act if Iran "kills peaceful protesters."

Protests have erupted since Sunday in several Iranian cities over the sharp depreciation of the national currency, the rial.

WASHINGTON -- The US Federal Aviation Administration early Saturday banned US aircraft from flying at any altitude within Venezuelan airspace amid reports of explosions in Caracas, citing safety concerns linked to "ongoing military activity."

The restriction was announced through four Notices to Air Missions issued around 1:00 am Eastern Time (0600 GMT). The advisories cover four flight information regions associated with Venezuela: San Juan, Piarco, Maiquetia, and Curacao.

Low-flying aircraft were spotted, and clouds of smoke were seen following loud explosions early Saturday in Caracas.

US President Donald Trump said Saturday in a Truth Social post that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife were captured and flown out of Venezuela.

MOSCOW -- The Russian Foreign Ministry said Saturday that the United States committed "an act of armed aggression" against Venezuela, which causes deep concern and condemnation.

US senator says Rubio told him "no further action" now that Maduro is in US custody: media

Venezuela's vice-president says government does not know whereabouts of Maduro and his wife — state TV

HAVANA -- Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel on Saturday condemned what he described as the "criminal US attack" against Venezuela, demanding an urgent response from the international community.

In a social media post, the president said that the region of peace (Latin America) is being brutally assaulted, and "this is state terrorism against the brave Venezuelan people and against Our America."

WASHINGTON? -- US President Donald Trump said Saturday in a Truth Social post that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife were captured and flown out of Venezuela.

Trump confirmed that the United States launched "a large scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro."

"There will be a News Conference today at 11 AM, at Mar-a-Lago," Trump added.

The US Federal Aviation Administration on early Saturday morning barred US aircraft from flying at any altitude within Venezuelan airspace following reports of explosions in Caracas, citing "safety-of-flight risks associated with ongoing military activity."

CARACAS -- Venezuela on Saturday denounced a "military aggression" by the United States, after large explosions were heard and aircraft were seen over the capital Caracas earlier in the day.

The Venezuelan government said that the military strike targeted civilian and military sites in at least four states of the country, including Caracas, as well as the states of Miranda, Aragua and La Guaira, adding that the US action blatantly violated the UN Charter.

Low-flying aircraft were spotted, and clouds of smoke were seen following loud explosion sounds at around 2:00 am (0600 GMT) Saturday in Caracas.

Reports said brief power outages occurred in some areas, including a military base in Caracas.

In the statement, the Venezuelan government said that President Nicolas Maduro had "ordered all national defense plans to be implemented" and declared "a state of external disturbance."

Shortly after the attack started, CBS White House reporter Jennifer Jacobs cited US officials saying that President Donald Trump had ordered the strikes, while FOX News reported that US officials confirmed the bombings.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro on Saturday called for an urgent meeting of the Organization of American States and the UN on the attack in Venezuela.

Over the past months, the United States has maintained a significant military presence in the Caribbean, including the USS Gerald R. Ford, an aircraft carrier, and about 15,000 troops, much of it off Venezuela's coast, purportedly to combat drug trafficking — a claim Venezuela has denounced as a thinly veiled attempt to bring about regime change in Caracas.