Israel expressed strong support Saturday for the U.S. operation that captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, with senior officials calling his removal a victory for democracy and a blow to global terror networks.
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar praised President Donald Trump’s actions, saying the United States acted “as the leader of the free world.” Sa’ar said Israel hopes the change in leadership will allow for renewed diplomatic relations with Venezuela, which were severed in 2009.
“At this historic moment, Israel stands alongside the Venezuelan people, who have suffered under illegal tyranny,” Sa’ar said. He described Maduro as a dictator who ran a network tied to drugs and terror.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also congratulated Trump on X for his “bold and historic leadership,” though he did not explicitly mention Venezuela or the military operation.
Opposition Leader Yair Lapid drew parallels to unrest in Iran, warning Tehran to take note of Maduro’s fate amid growing protests over economic hardship.
Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli went further, calling Maduro’s capture a devastating blow to the “global axis of evil.” He accused Maduro of fueling Hezbollah and supporting Iran through drug trafficking.
Under Maduro, Venezuela became one of Israel’s most vocal critics, particularly following the Gaza war that erupted after Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel.
Israeli officials emphasized that the Venezuelan people deserve democratic rights and expressed hope that South America can move toward stability free from terror and narcotics networks.
