Volodymyr Zelenskyy has commented on the recent capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.
On January 3, President Donald Trump declared that Maduro had been ‘captured’ by US forces.
Trump wrote on Truth Social, “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.”
US Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed that Maduro faces charges including ‘Narco-Terrorism Conspiracy, Cocaine Importation Conspiracy, Possession of Machineguns and Destructive Devices, and Conspiracy to Possess Machineguns and Destructive Devices against the United States’.
Maduro has consistently denied accusations of leading a drug cartel.
Bondi assured that Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, will ‘face the full wrath of American justice on American soil in American courts’, as reported by the BBC.
Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy offered his perspective on the arrest of Maduro.
Following a meeting with European national security advisors, he spoke with journalists who inquired about his view on Trump’s military intervention in Venezuela.
With a smile, Zelenskyy responded (via Mail Online): “How should I react to this? What can I say?”
Suggesting a similar approach might be taken with Vladimir Putin, Zelenskyy remarked: “If it’s possible to deal with dictators this way, then the US knows what to do next.”
Andrii Sybiha, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, also addressed the event.
He wrote on Twitter: “Ukraine has consistently defended the right of nations to live freely, free of dictatorship, oppression, and human rights violations. The Maduro regime has violated all such principles in every respect.
“Democratic countries and human rights organizations across the globe have emphasized his regime’s widespread crimes, violence, torture, oppression, abuse of all basic freedoms, stolen votes, and destruction of democracy and the rule of law.
“Ukraine has not recognised Maduro’s legitimacy following rigged elections and violence against protestors, along with dozens of other countries in different parts of the world.”
Sybiha further highlighted the Venezuelan people’s right to ‘a normal life, security, prosperity, and human dignity’.
Ukraine has consistently defended the right of nations to live freely, free of dictatorship, oppression, and human rights violations. The Maduro regime has violated all such principles in every respect.
Democratic countries and human rights organizations across the globe have…
— Andrii Sybiha 🇺🇦 (@andrii_sybiha) January 3, 2026
“We will continue to support their right to such normality, respect, and freedom,” he stated.
A video circulating online shows Maduro being escorted through the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) office in New York.
In a brief remark to the cameras, the 63-year-old said: “Happy new year.”