Malaysia’s Anwar urges release of Maduro after US raid in Venezuela
Malaysia’s PM Anwar Ibrahim called for Nicolás Maduro and his wife to be released, warning the US operation set a dangerous precedent and urging de-escalation.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said on Sunday that Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, should be released “without any undue delay”, after they were seized in a US military operation that he described as a violation of international law.
In a statement, Anwar said the capture of a sitting head of government through external action set “a dangerous precedent” and weakened restraints on the use of force between states, adding that Venezuela’s political future should be determined by Venezuelans themselves.
Anwar’s comments followed a pre-dawn US operation in and around Caracas on Saturday (January 3, 2026), which included strikes on key targets and the detention of Maduro and Flores, according to US President Donald Trump. Media reports said the pair were taken to New York to face charges filed in the Southern District of New York.
Anwar said Malaysia regards respect for sovereignty and international law as essential to peaceful relations between states, and called for constructive engagement, dialogue and de-escalation to protect civilians and allow Venezuelans to pursue their aspirations without further harm.
