Case Explained: ‘International Law Crime’: Mbalula Hits Out at Trump Over Venezuela; ANC Takes Stand: Mbalula Demands Freedom for Venezuela’s President and First Lady – Legal Perspective

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‘International Law Crime’:

By Thabo Mosia

Johannesburg, South Africa –

In a strong show of solidarity with Venezuela, African National Congress secretary-general Fikile Mbalula has slammed United States President Donald Trump for what he calls an outright breach of international rules following the recent military raid that led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.

During a media briefing held by the ANC today, Mbalula demanded their immediate and unconditional release, describing the US actions as a clear case of aggression driven by old-school imperialism and a grab for resources.

This stance comes amid growing global outcry over the incident, which has sparked debates on sovereignty and the limits of powerful nations meddling in others’ affairs.

The briefing highlighted South Africa’s long-standing support for Venezuela’s right to self-rule, echoing concerns from various local groups about the dangers of such moves setting bad examples worldwide.

Mbalula stressed that the ANC stands firm against any form of outside interference that tramples on a country’s independence, pointing to the event as a wake-up call for African nations to unite against similar threats.

The US Raid and Capture: What Happened in Caracas

The drama unfolded on 3 January 2026, when US forces launched a surprise military operation in Venezuela’s capital, Caracas.

Nearly 200 American troops stormed a military fortress where Maduro and Flores were staying, catching them off guard with just minutes’ warning.

Explosions rocked the city as airstrikes supported the ground team, marking the climax of a months-long push by the Trump administration to remove Maduro from power.

Maduro, who has led Venezuela since 2013, and his wife were quickly flown out of the country to New York City.

There, they faced a federal court on charges laid out by US Attorney General Pam Bondi, including narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation, money laundering, and possessing illegal weapons.

These accusations tie back to claims that Maduro backed drug cartels labelled as terror groups by Washington, allegedly causing thousands of deaths in the US through illegal drugs.

Both Maduro and Flores entered not guilty pleas during their first court appearance, with Maduro declaring himself innocent and still the rightful leader of his nation.

Their lawyers argued the arrest was an unlawful military abduction, ignoring Maduro’s status as a head of state with diplomatic protections.

The next hearing is set for 17 March, and the couple has asked to meet with Venezuelan consular officials.
This was not a spur-of-the-moment act.

The US had ramped up pressure since late 2025, with over 100 strikes on drug boats linked to Venezuela, causing dozens of deaths.

Trump framed the raid as a win for law enforcement, not war, but critics see it as a bold invasion to seize control of Venezuela’s vast oil reserves, the largest in the world.

Trump’s Bold Claims and Plans for Venezuela

In the aftermath, Trump held a news conference where he boasted about the operation’s success and announced that the US would take charge of Venezuela for the time being.

He said America would “run” the country until a smooth handover could happen, focusing on rebuilding its crumbling oil industry.

Trump predicted it would take under 18 months for companies to fix things up, hinting at reclaiming what he called stolen US oil interests.

His advisor Stephen Miller added that military might would keep things in line, using economic leverage to ensure cooperation.

Trump also issued warnings to nearby countries like Colombia and Mexico to crack down on drugs, or face similar actions. He brushed off ideas of using force elsewhere, like in Greenland, but the tone raised alarms about broader ambitions.

Delcy Rodríguez, sworn in as Venezuela’s acting president, called the raid an illegitimate attack but signalled openness to talks with the US, while insisting Maduro remains the true leader.

These statements have fuelled fears of a return to heavy-handed US policies in Latin America, reminiscent of past interventions.

Trump justified it by accusing Maduro of rigging elections since 2019 and supporting cartels that harm Americans, but many see oil as the real prize, with Venezuela’s resources seen as a way to boost US energy security.

Global Backlash: Violations of Sovereignty and International Law

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The world reacted swiftly, with an emergency UN Security Council meeting in New York turning into a chorus of condemnation.

Diplomats from Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Russia, China, Pakistan, and others labelled the US move a “crime of aggression” and a blatant disregard for Venezuela’s sovereignty, political freedom, and land borders.

Brazil’s envoy called it an unacceptable overstep that sets a risky example, while Colombia stressed that democracy cannot be forced through violence or economic greed.

Cuba saw it as fascist imperialism aimed at domination, and Russia warned of a slide back to lawless times, urging rejection of US-style judge-and-jury tactics.

China slammed Washington for playing global cop, demanding Maduro’s release and a shift to dialogue over bullying.

Even Venezuela’s representative at the UN described the capture as a resource-driven kidnapping that threatens world order.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres voiced deep worry over rising instability and the bad signal it sends, pushing for peaceful talks with UN help.

The US ambassador defended it as simple police work to nab criminals, citing the 1989 Panama invasion to grab Manuel Noriega on drug charges as a similar case.

He invoked self-defence under the UN Charter and noted some Venezuelan exiles in places like Florida were cheering.

Allies offered mixed support: Argentina backed the bold step, while the UK and France gave cautious nods, stressing the need to uphold rules even as they questioned Maduro’s legitimacy.

Legal experts debate the raid’s standing under international law, which bans force unless approved by the UN or in true self-defence. Drug crimes do not count as armed threats, they say, making the operation unlawful.

Past cases like Noriega or the extradition of Honduras’ ex-president are cited by the US, but critics argue an indictment alone does not justify invading a sovereign state.

No prior notice went to the US Congress, raising home-front questions about war powers.

South Africa’s Firm Response and Calls for Unity

Closer to home, South Africa has joined the chorus against the US actions. In today’s ANC media briefing, Mbalula made it clear that the party views the raid as an international law crime orchestrated by Trump.

He called for Maduro and Flores to be freed right away, blaming the US for putting multilateral ties at risk through this abduction.

Mbalula linked it to a bigger plot to topple Venezuela’s socialist government, drawing from books like Dan Kovalik’s work on how outside forces have schemed against the nation for its oil.

International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola echoed this, saying the event threatens the whole system of global cooperation.

The South African Communist Party branded the attack a plain violation of rules and an act of war, demanding US troops pull out without conditions.

Student group SASCO slammed the US for its imperialist moves, noting how detentions came after seizing Venezuelan oil ships and ramping up sanctions, all seen as against the law.

These voices build on South Africa’s history of standing with nations fighting for their rights, like in Palestine or against old colonial powers.

Mbalula urged Africans to rally together, warning that ignoring such aggression could invite it elsewhere.

He tied it to broader shifts where big powers flex muscle in a changing world order, pushing for a multipolar setup where no one nation calls the shots.

Broader Implications: Oil, Drugs, and Power Plays

At its core, this saga mixes claims of fighting drugs with grabs for resources. Venezuela’s oil has long tempted outsiders, and Trump’s talk of taking it back fits a pattern of US interest in the region’s energy.

The charges against Maduro revive old indictments from 2020, expanded now to include his wife, but the military method has shocked many.

Democrats in the US, who once pushed for Maduro’s exit, now criticise the move – some say because Trump did it.

Latin America worries about echoes of the Monroe Doctrine, an old US policy claiming the region as its backyard.

For Venezuela, the fallout includes reports of unrest in Caracas, though the US denies involvement in ongoing clashes.

As courts and councils debate, the human side stands out: a leader and his wife yanked from home, facing trial far away, while their country grapples with uncertainty.

South Africa’s call for release and respect for rules adds to the push for dialogue over force, aiming for a world where nations solve issues through talk, not raids.

In the end, Mbalula’s words remind us that standing up to perceived wrongs is key to protecting everyone’s freedom, urging a return to fair play on the global stage.

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