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Hezbollah, Hamas denounce U.S. strike and Maduro’s capture

1 min Antoine Khoury

Several pro-Iranian terrorist groups, led by Hezbollah, Hamas, and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, on Saturday condemned a U.S. operation carried out overnight in Venezuela, which reportedly involved strikes in the capital and the capture and evacuation of President Nicolás Maduro.

A person holds an image of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro as government supporters gather following a U.S. strike on Venezuela where President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured, in Santiago, Chile January 3, 2026. Reuters/ Gaby Or

A person holds an image of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro as government supporters gather following a U.S. strike on Venezuela where President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured, in Santiago, Chile January 3, 2026. Reuters/ Gaby Or

Several pro-Iranian terrorist groups, led by Hezbollah, Hamas, and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, on Saturday condemned a U.S. operation carried out overnight in Venezuela, which reportedly involved strikes in the capital and the capture and evacuation of President Nicolás Maduro.

In a statement, Hezbollah expressed “full solidarity” with Caracas and denounced what it described as a “terrorist aggression and American intimidation against Venezuela,” accusing Washington of abducting the Venezuelan president and his wife in what it called an unprecedented violation of national sovereignty, international law, and United Nations charters. 

The group also criticized what it termed the United States’ policy of domination and plunder, arguing that it undermines global stability and erodes the remaining foundations of the international order.

The Palestinian Islamic Jihad issued a similar condemnation, denouncing what it called a “hostile U.S. aggression” against Venezuela and strikes targeting Caracas and its population. 

The movement said the operation reflected intentions of domination and occupation, describing it as a blatant breach of international law and national sovereignty. It added that Venezuela was being targeted for its longstanding international positions, particularly its support for the Palestinian cause and regional “resistance” movements.

For its part, Hamas said the U.S. action against Venezuela and the capture of its president constituted a “serious violation of international law” and an attack on the sovereignty of an independent state. 

The group argued that the operation fit into a broader pattern of U.S. interventions driven by what it called imperial ambitions that have plunged several countries into conflict and threatened international peace and security. Hamas urged the international community, the United Nations, and especially the UN Security Council, to take firm action to counter Washington’s policies and bring an immediate end to military operations on Venezuelan territory.

Other organizations aligned with the pro-Iranian axis, including the Syrian Social Nationalist Party, also issued statements condemning the U.S. attack, echoing calls for respect for Venezuela’s sovereignty and international law.

Antoine Khoury

Antoine Khoury

Antoine Khoury is based in Beirut and has been reporting for Mena Today for the past year. He covers news from Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Turkey, and is widely regarded as one of the region’s leading experts

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