April 13, 2026 | SUNTV Global Channel | International News
A Nigerian-based advocacy group, the Venezuela Solidarity Campaign Nigeria (VSCN), has called for the immediate and unconditional release of Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, from United States custody, describing their detention as illegal and a violation of international law.
In a strongly worded statement released on Sunday, the group accused the United States of undermining Venezuela’s sovereignty following a controversial military operation in January 2026 that led to the capture of the Venezuelan leader in Caracas.
According to the group, the operation involved U.S. special forces supported by air strikes targeting key military installations before troops stormed the presidential residence in the early hours of January 3. Maduro and his wife were reportedly taken into custody and swiftly transported out of the country.
They were later flown to New York, where they were handed over to U.S. federal authorities and subsequently arraigned in court. Both have pleaded not guilty to multiple charges, including narcoterrorism and drug trafficking, and remain in detention pending trial.
The VSCN condemned the operation as a “forceful abduction,” insisting that the use of military force to remove a sitting head of state violates fundamental principles of international law and global diplomacy.
“This is a grave violation of Venezuela’s sovereignty and sets a dangerous precedent,” the group stated, calling for an end to what it described as continued foreign interference.
The statement drew parallels with the 2002 Venezuelan coup attempt, describing it as a reminder of past external involvement in Venezuela’s political affairs.
The group’s position was backed by several Nigerian civil society organisations, including the African Action Congress (AAC) and the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), alongside other activists.
Meanwhile, the situation in Venezuela remains politically tense. Following Maduro’s removal, Vice President Delcy Rodríguez assumed leadership as acting president, a development that has sparked constitutional debates and uncertainty within the country.
The VSCN also called on progressive organisations, labour unions, and civil society groups across Africa to speak out against what it described as aggression and injustice.
“The struggle of the Venezuelan people is a struggle for dignity and sovereignty,” the group said, urging global solidarity in defending the independence of nations.
As international reactions continue to grow, the case of Maduro’s detention is rapidly becoming a major flashpoint in global politics, raising serious questions about sovereignty, international law, and the limits of foreign intervention.
