France Condemns US Capture Of Venezuelan President Maduro As International Law Violation

France's reaction revealed deep political fissures between the executive and legislative branches.

“France says capture of Venezuelan president violates international law 'France recalls that no lasting political solution can be imposed from the outside and that sovereign peoples alone decide their own future,' says Jean-Noel Barrot Burak Bir 03 January 2026•Update: 03 January 2026 LONDON France's foreign minister on Saturday said that the US military operation that led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro violates the principles of international law on the use of force”

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Macron initially declared the Venezuelan people can only rejoice at the end of the Maduro dictatorship.

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His foreign minister condemned the US operation as a violation of international law.

Macron clarified the method was neither supported nor approved by France.

Opposition figures branded Macron's reaction blind and irresponsible.

More than a thousand people protested in Paris.

The US operation sparked a firestorm of international condemnation and legal debate.

The French foreign minister said the operation contravenes the principle of non-use of force.

BBC

The Guardian noted it was the first time a permanent UN Security Council member used military force to remove another member's head of state.

The EU's top diplomat reiterated that international law must be respected.

German Chancellor Merz said the legality was complex.

UN Secretary General Guterres was deeply concerned.

The capture of Maduro underscored shifting global power dynamics.

“'Deeply shocked': World leaders react to US attack on Venezuela Leaders around the world have responded with a mix of condemnation and support to the US capture of Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro”

BBC

France's foreign minister warned of serious consequences for global security.

The Guardian noted the operation exposed the limits of the international order since 1945.

Trump said the US will run Venezuela until a safe transition can take place.

The divergent reactions within France reflected broader tensions.

The episode raised questions about the future of international law.