South African opposition divided over US capture of Venezuela’s president

South Africa’s opposition parties have expressed sharply differing views following the United States’ capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, an action the government says violates international law.

The South African government moved swiftly over the weekend to approach the United Nations, arguing that Washington’s actions amount to a breach of Venezuela’s sovereignty and calling for urgent international intervention.

But opposition parties are far from united on the issue, with reactions ranging from cautious support for the US to outright condemnation and warnings of global instability.

Freedom Front Plus questions the government’s consistency

The FF+ has been critical of the government’s decision to take the matter to the UN.

FF+ international relations spokesperson Corné Mulder argued that the US action did not amount to an invasion or regime change, but rather the execution of a long-standing legalprocess.

Mulder said the US had indicted Maduro in 2020 and acted against a specific individual, not the Venezuelan state. He also accused the ANC of inconsistency, noting its silence when Russia invaded Ukraine.

“If the government wants to invoke international law, it must do so consistently,” Mulder said, questioning why similar steps were not taken in other global conflicts.

Economic Freedom Fighters condemns US action as ‘illegal’

The EFF took a starkly different view, condemning the US in the strongest terms.

The party’s Head of International Relations, Nqobile Mhlongo, described the capture of Maduro and his wife as an illegal military action and called on the international community to isolate Washington.

The party warned that Venezuela could be just the latest target, raising concerns about potential future actions against other countries, including South Africa. The EFF said it plans to undertake protest actions to show solidarity with the Venezuelan people.

United Democratic Movement and African Transformation Movement warn of US ‘military adventurism’

The UDM criticised what it called 'selective outrage' in South African politics, arguing that violations of sovereignty should be consistently condemned, regardless of which country is affected.

The party’s Deputy President, Nqabayomzi Kwankwa, also faulted the ANC for failing to acknowledge Maduro’s human rights record, while maintaining that this did not justify his removal by a foreign power.

Meanwhile, the ATM said the US was using allegations of criminal activity as a pretext to gain control of Venezuela’s oil resources.

ATM leader Vuyo Zungula argued that the situation amounted to regime change and warned that powerful nations were increasingly willing to exploit weaker states with limited defensive capabilities.

Broader fears over US global ambitions

The debate was further fuelled by comments from Washington suggesting that military options were being considered in relation to Greenland, following Denmark’ rejection of proposals to sell the territory.

Opposition parties warned that such statements point to a growing pattern of US unilateralism under President Donald Trump, raising concerns about the future of global stability and international law.

As South Africa engages the UN, the divisions among its opposition parties highlight broader disagreements about foreign policy, sovereigntyand how smaller nations should respond to the actions of global superpowers.

For more information, listen to Mulder, Mhlongo, Kwankwa, and Zungula using the audio player below: