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Zambian opposition political parties have condemned the United States’ military operation in Venezuela, describing it as a violation of international law and a threat to global peace.
Socialist Party (SP) president, Dr. Fred M’membe, strongly criticised the reported U.S. strikes on Venezuela and the capture and removal of that country’s President, Nicolás Maduro.
U.S. President, Donald Trump, said on Saturday that American forces had carried out a military operation in Venezuela and captured President Maduro, who has since been taken out of the country.
In a statement issued in Lusaka on Saturday, M’membe described the operation as a flagrant violation of international law and an assault on Venezuela’s sovereignty.
He said the attacks, launched in the early hours of January 3, 2026, reportedly targeted military installations and civilian areas in and around Caracas, as well as the neighbouring states of Miranda, Aragua and La Guaira.
“The Socialist Party views the strikes as a direct breach of Article 2 of the United Nations Charter,” M’membe said.
He noted that the Charter prohibits the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, describing the operation as an act of aggression and a war crime under international law.
M’membe further warned that the disappearance of President Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores following the attacks marked a dangerous escalation.
He accused the United States of waging war on Venezuela to gain control of its oil resources, arguing that Washington could not tolerate a government that prioritises the welfare of its people over the interests of multinational corporations.
M’membe said the Socialist Party stands in solidarity with the people of Venezuela and called on progressive governments and peace-loving citizens worldwide to condemn the attacks.
“They should also demand an immediate end to hostilities and support Venezuela’s right to self-determination. The era of unchecked imperialist aggression is coming to an end,” he said.
Meanwhile, Golden Party of Zambia (GPZ) president, Jackson Silavwe, also condemned the operation, describing the capture of a sitting head of state who had not declared war on the United States as “extremely disturbing.”
Silavwe said although the United States possesses significant military power that has contributed to global peace, such power should not be used to dominate or intimidate other nations.
“I have admired President Trump’s leadership on many fronts, but today America’s actions in Venezuela feed into both individual and global insecurity,” Silavwe said.
He warned that the operation could destabilise Venezuela and the wider region, drawing parallels with instability witnessed in the Middle East following similar military interventions.
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