US strikes Venezuela, M'sia reiterates anti-foreign intervention stance

Malaysia has reiterated its stance against foreign intervention and the use of force after the US launched a strike against Venezuela and captured President Nicolas Maduro.

In a statement last night, Wisma Putra said this was a fundamental principle of international law.

"As a matter of principle, Malaysia opposes all forms of foreign intervention in the internal affairs of other states, as well as the threat or use of force.

"These are fundamental principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and international law.

"Malaysia consistently upholds the importance of peaceful resolution of disputes through dialogue, respect for sovereignty, and adherence to international norms," the Foreign Ministry said.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has not yet issued a statement about the attack on Venezuela.

However, his profile on X had reposted a New Yorker interview titled "The Brazen Illegality of Trump’s Venezuela Operation".

UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres has likewise expressed deep concern that international law has not been respected.

Seizing massive oil reserves

The US launched strikes on several locations in the Venezuelan capital Caracas in the early hours of Saturday, including military bases.

They then captured Maduro and his wife, and extradited them to the US to face charges alleging that the Venezuelan president ran “state-sponsored gangs” and facilitated drug trafficking.

CNN reported US President Donald Trump as saying that the US will now run Venezuela until a "judicious transition" can take place.

Trump is also seizing Venezuela's massive oil reserves and bringing in US companies to "fix" the South American country's oil infrastructure.

Venezuela has the world's largest cache of oil reserves, with about 303 billion barrels - or 20 percent - of proven crude oil reserves in 2023.

Trump did not get approval from the US Congress to launch the attack on Venezuela as required by law.

Wisma Putra said its priority now is to ensure the safety of Malaysians in Venezuela.

It said all Malaysians registered with the embassy in Caracas have confirmed that they are safe.

Which countries recognize Palestinian statehood?

US strikes 'terrorist targets' in Nigeria

Scrutinise M'sia–US trade deal before new ratification, ex-MP urges Parliament

Trump govt expanding list of nations subject to travel ban - official