The African Union (AU) has expressed grave concern over reports of the abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and military attacks on state institutions, warning that the unfolding developments pose a serious threat to regional peace and stability.
In a communiqué issued on Saturday in Addis Ababa, the continental body reaffirmed its commitment to international law, state sovereignty and urged restraint and respect for constitutional order in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
“The African Union is following with grave concern the recent developments in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, including reports of the abduction of the President of the Republic, Mr. Nicolás Maduro, and military attacks on Venezuelan institutions,” the statement read in part.
The organisation noted that such actions, if confirmed, undermine constitutional governance and risk further destabilising an already fragile political environment.
Reiterating its long-standing principles, the African Union emphasised its “steadfast commitment to the fundamental principles of international law, including respect for the sovereignty of States, their territorial integrity, and the right of peoples to self-determination, as enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations.”
The AU stressed that adherence to these principles remains essential in preventing escalation and safeguarding international peace.
The communiqué underscored the importance of non-violent approaches to resolving political crises, calling for “dialogue, peaceful settlement of disputes, and respect for constitutional and institutional frameworks, in a spirit of good neighbourliness, cooperation, and peaceful coexistence among nations.”
According to the AU, military actions and forced interventions only deepen divisions and prolong instability.
Highlighting the internal nature of Venezuela’s challenges, the African Union maintained that “the complex internal challenges facing Venezuela can only be sustainably addressed through inclusive political dialogue among Venezuelans themselves.”
The statement emphasised that durable solutions must be driven by Venezuelan actors through nationally owned and inclusive processes rather than external pressure or force.
The AU also expressed solidarity with ordinary citizens affected by the turmoil, stating that it “expresses its solidarity with the Venezuelan people and reiterates its commitment to the promotion of peace, stability, and mutual respect among nations and regions.”
The continental body issued a direct appeal to all parties involved, urging them “to exercise restraint, responsibility, and respect for international law to prevent any escalation and to preserve regional peace and stability.”
The AU statement follows a dramatic US operation in Venezuela on Saturday morning when US President Donald Trump announced that the United States had “successfully carried out a large-scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro,” adding that Maduro and his wife had been captured and flown out of the country. He said the operation was done in conjunction with U.S. Law Enforcement.
Following their capture, Maduro and Flores were charged in the Southern District of New York with narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, possession of machine guns and destructive devices, and conspiracy to possess machine guns and destructive devices against the United States, Attorney General Pam Bondi said on X early Saturday.
“They will soon face the full wrath of American justice on American soil in American courts,” Bondi said.
“I would like to thank President Trump for having the courage to demand accountability on behalf of the American People, and a huge thank you to our brave military who conducted the incredible and highly successful mission to capture these two alleged international narco traffickers," she added.
