South Africa president Cyril Ramaphosa condemns US capture of Venezuela’s Maduro.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has strongly condemned the reported capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife by the United States, describing the action as a serious violation of international law and Venezuela’s sovereignty.

Ramaphosa made his position known on Tuesday in a statement shared on his official social media platform, where he expressed solidarity with the Venezuelan people and criticised the actions of the United States.

According to the South African leader, the reported development undermines the principles of territorial integrity and non-interference enshrined in international law and the United Nations Charter.

“We reject utterly the actions embarked upon by the United States and we stand with the people of Venezuela,” Ramaphosa said.

He stressed that South Africa’s response is guided by its long-standing commitment to international law and respect for the sovereignty of all nations, regardless of their political differences.

Ramaphosa warned that such actions set a dangerous precedent in global affairs and threaten the stability of the international system, particularly when carried out against a sovereign member of the United Nations.

“It is our commitment to international law and the United Nations Charter that informs our deep concern about the actions of the United States in Venezuela, which have undermined the territorial integrity and sovereignty of a UN member state,” he added.

The South African president also called on the international community to take the matter seriously, urging the United Nations to play its role in preventing further escalation.

He specifically appealed to the United Nations Security Council to take decisive steps in line with its mandate to maintain global peace and security.

“We reiterate our call for decisive action by the United Nations Security Council to fulfil its mandate and advance peace and security,” Ramaphosa said.

His comments come amid growing international concern over developments in Venezuela and their wider implications for global diplomacy, sovereignty and the rule-based international order.

Ramaphosa reaffirmed South Africa’s position in support of dialogue, peaceful resolution of conflicts and respect for the independence of nations, stressing that lasting peace can only be achieved through diplomacy rather than force.