The U.S. move to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife on Saturday has drawn sharp criticism from former Nigerian senator Shehu Sani and human rights activist Omoyele Sowore, as well as concern from the United Nations and world leaders.

President Donald Trump claimed on Truth Social that U.S. forces had carried out a “large-scale strike” in Venezuela, capturing Maduro and his wife, just two hours after explosions rocked the capital, Caracas.

“The United States of America has successfully carried out a large-scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolás Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the Country,” Trump said.

In a statement, Shehu Sani condemned the action, comparing it to previous U.S. military interventions: “Mr Trump condemned Bush for removing Saddam and condemned Obama for removing Gaddafi; here he, acting without Congressional consent or approval, and without regard for international law and respect for the sovereignty of Venezuela, invaded Venezuela and removed their President.

“I would like history and posterity to record me as one who has unreservedly condemned this action that doesn’t reflect the interests and wishes of the good people of the United States.”

Historical context shows that U.S. leaders have previously engaged in controversial regime changes.

In March 2003, President George W. Bush launched a military invasion of Iraq to remove Saddam Hussein, who was captured near Tikrit in December 2003 and executed in 2006.

Similarly, in 2011, President Barack Obama backed NATO-led intervention in Libya that led to Muammar Gaddafi’s capture and death in Sirte in October 2011.

Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore also criticised the Venezuelan operation.

“In light of the illegal regime change agenda pursued by the U.S. President, in Venezuela and the kidnapping of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, the time has come to confront an uncomfortable truth.

“The UN has devolved into a ceremonial tea party, impotent, compromised, and largely irrelevant. Its persistent failure to restrain unilateral aggression, war crimes, and abuses of power exposes a deep and incurable structural rot,” Sowore said.

He argued that the UN should be replaced by “a truly credible coalition of nation-states designed to serve humanity, uphold justice, and prevent tyranny.”

However, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed that he was “deeply alarmed” by the strikes. His spokesman, Stephane Dujarric, said on Saturday that the UN chief is “deeply concerned that the rules of international law have not been respected,” and called on “all actors in Venezuela to engage in inclusive dialogue, in full respect of human rights and the rule of law.”

Several countries have also condemned the alleged U.S. operation, including Iran, Colombia, Cuba, Russia, Spain, Germany, Italy, and China, among others, raising concerns over the international legality and precedent of the strike. (Saturday PUNCH)