US attack on Venezuela: Social media slams US abduction of Nicolas Maduro

News of the abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Saturday sparked an array of reactions on social media that have continued throughout the weekend.

Following large-scale strikes on Caracas in the early hours of the morning, which killed at least 80 people, including civilians, US President Donald Trump announced the “capture” of Maduro and his wife via the Truth Social platform.

Using X, formerly Twitter, as the secondary outlet for his announcements, the official White House page posted several videos and photos of the saga, including a photo of Maduro in US custody being transported to New York.

The Trump administration stated the official goal of the operation was to remove an “indicted narcoterrorist and illegitimate former… dictator,” after Trump announced that the US would “run the country” until they can establish a “judicious transition” of power. 

He also said that American oil companies would move in and “start making money for the country”.

Some heads of state, like UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, have largely avoided condemning the act, while others such as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have praised it.

However, much of the online discourse about the attacks and subsequent abduction of Maduro and his wife have been critical.

The UN special rapporteur for the Palestinian territories Francesca Albanese called the act “a lethal blow” to international law, a sentiment echoed by Spanish President Pedro Sanchez who said that Spain will “not recognise an intervention that violates international law”.

Warning of the breakdown of the international rules-based order, some questioned the precedent this may set for other countries to justify similar acts of intervention.

British journalist Ash Sarkar wrote: “There is no rules-based international order. It literally does not exist”.

Calling it a “dark moment,” British political economist Will Hutton asked: “Who next on what pretext?”

‘Blatant colonialism’

Other users drew comparisons to previous US interventionist policies and in Iraq and Libya, which similarly involved discussions of oil.

“US imperialism is the greatest threat to peace and security in our world,” wrote one user.

Another posted: “Donald Trump said the US government is ‘going to run the country’ until there is a ‘transition’ to pro-US leadership… This is blatant colonialism.”

Journalist Chris Hedges labelled it a “kidnapping,” describing the US as a “gangster state”.

A series of posts also mocked Trump’s statement about bringing an “outlaw” to “justice” by comparing Maduro to Benjamin Netanyahu.

Several users pointed out that the Israeli leader is wanted by the International Criminal Court on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

"So the US abducts Maduro under the pretext of bringing him to justice, but won’t detain Netanyahu when he’s in the US despite him having an ICC warrant out,” posted one user.

“If you think the US cares about justice, you’re hopeless.”

Landing image: Captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro arrives at the Downtown Manhattan Heliport (Eduardo Munoz/Reuters).