Zimbabwe avoids condemning Trump's kidnapping of Maduro

Zimbabwe has opted for a cautious diplomatic approach following the recent United States military operation in Venezuela that reportedly resulted in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, stopping short of directly condemning Washington's actions.

The operation, carried out last Saturday by US special forces, is said to have involved armed assaults on both civilian and military targets in Caracas and other parts of the country. The dramatic intervention has drawn sharp criticism from several countries, with some describing it as a breach of international law and Venezuelan sovereignty.

While a number of states, including Zimbabwe's neighbour South Africa, have openly condemned the US action as a clear violation of the United Nations Charter, Harare has refrained from issuing a direct rebuke. Instead, Zimbabwe has chosen to anchor its position within the broader framework of multilateral organisations to which it belongs.

Presidential spokesperson George Charamba said Zimbabwe's stance on Venezuela is guided by the collective positions of international bodies rather than unilateral statements. Writing on social media platform X, Charamba said Zimbabwe "was party to pronouncements issued by these organisations," signalling that the country aligns itself with agreed multilateral responses.

Several international groupings, including the United Nations, the Group of Friends in Defence of the UN Charter, the African Union and the Non-Aligned Movement, have since condemned the US military action against Venezuela. These organisations have described the operation as a violation of the UN Charter and international law, calling for respect for state sovereignty and established international norms.

Although Charamba initially appeared to make light of the African Union's statement condemning the US action, he later clarified that the continental body's position is consistent with Zimbabwe's own stance. He said Zimbabwe fully supports the AU's views as part of its commitment to collective decision-making within international and regional organisations.

Zimbabwe's measured response is seen by observers as an attempt to avoid a direct confrontation with US President Donald Trump's administration, while still maintaining its long-standing policy of supporting multilateralism and respect for international law. As global debate over the legality and implications of the Venezuela operation continues, Harare appears intent on keeping its position firmly within the bounds of collective diplomatic consensus rather than bilateral dispute.