CARICOM Warns of “Grave Concern” After U.S. Military Action in Venezuela and Capture of President Maduro
Regional leaders moved swiftly early Saturday after reports of U.S. military action in Venezuela, with the Caribbean Community warning that the developments pose serious risks for the wider region.
The Conference of Heads of Government of Caribbean Community convened in emergency session on January 3, describing the situation as one of “grave concern” and confirming that it is closely monitoring events as they unfold.
In a brief statement, the bloc said the reported strikes could have implications for neighbouring states and promised further updates as information becomes available.
The response follows claims by U.S. President Donald Trump that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured during pre-dawn military operations in and around Caracas.
Trump said the operation, which targeted areas including Miranda, Aragua and La Guaira, was carried out in coordination with U.S. law enforcement agencies.
According to the communiqué, President Maduro declared a state of external commotion and ordered the full deployment of the Bolivarian National Armed Forces, along with the activation of all national defence plans. Citizens and political and social organisations were urged to mobilise in defence of the country’s independence and sovereignty.
The statement also invoked Venezuela’s history of resistance to foreign intervention, referencing its long struggle for independence and the 1902 naval bombardment.
Concluding the communiqué, authorities called for national unity, quoting former president Hugo Chávez: “In the face of any new difficulties, whatever their magnitude, the response of all patriots… is unity, struggle, battle, and victory.”
This story was first published by Antigua News on : antigua.news/2026/01/04/caricom-warns-of-grave-concern-after-u-s-military-action-in-venezuela-and-capture-of-president-maduro. © 2026 Antigua News. Republication without permission is not allowed.
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