The Government of Ghana has strongly condemned what it describes as a unilateral and unauthorised military invasion of Venezuela by the United States, expressing deep alarm over the reported abduction of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.
In a press release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday, January 4, 2026, Ghana said it was “alarmed” by the early-morning operation carried out on January 3, describing the action as a grave violation of international law and the Charter of the United Nations.
According to the statement, Ghana expressed strong reservations against the unilateral use of force, warning that such actions undermine the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of states. The government said it was closely monitoring developments in Venezuela with “great concern,” noting that attempts to occupy foreign territories and exert external control over oil resources pose serious risks to international stability and the global order.
Ghana also criticised remarks attributed to US President Donald Trump, in which he reportedly stated that the United States would “run” Venezuela until a “safe, proper and judicious transition” could be achieved, and that major US oil companies would be invited to “go in.” The Foreign Ministry described these statements as reminiscent of the colonial and imperialist era, warning that they set a dangerous precedent in the post–Second World War international system.
“To allow this is to put the international community at great risk and to undermine the sovereignty of every country,” the statement said, adding that such colonial ambitions have no place in modern global governance.
The Government of Ghana reaffirmed its commitment to the principle of self-determination, stressing that only the Venezuelan people have the right to freely decide their political and democratic future without external interference.
Accra further called for the immediate de-escalation of tensions and demanded the release of President Maduro and his wife. It reiterated Ghana’s long-standing principled opposition to invasion, occupation, colonialism, apartheid and all forms of violations of international law, pledging to continue defending these values on the global stage.
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