The Government of Ghana has expressed condemnation over what it describes as the unilateral and unauthorised military invasion of Venezuela by the United States of America and the subsequent abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.
In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday, January 4, 2026, the Government said the incident allegedly occurred in the early hours of Saturday, January 3, 2026, and constitutes a grave violation of international law and the sovereignty of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
According to the statement, Ghana strongly opposes the unilateral use of force, noting that such actions violate the Charter of the United Nations and undermine the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of states.
“The Ghanaian Government is keenly following the situation in Venezuela with great concern,” the statement said, warning that assaults on international law, attempts to occupy foreign territories and perceived external control of oil resources have serious consequences for international stability and the global order.
Ghana also raised concern about reported comments attributed to US President Donald Trump, in which he allegedly stated that the United States would “run” Venezuela until a “safe, proper and judicious transition” is achieved, and that large US oil companies would be invited to operate in the country.
The Foreign Affairs Ministry described such remarks as reminiscent of the colonial and imperialist era, cautioning that they set a dangerous precedent and have no place in the post-Second World War international system.
“To allow this is to put the international community at great risk and undermine the sovereignty of every country,” the statement noted.
Ghana reaffirmed its commitment to the principle of self determination, stressing that only the people of Venezuela have the right to freely decide their political and democratic future.
The Government also called for the immediate de-escalation of tensions and the release of President Maduro and his wife.
The statement emphasized Ghana’s long standing principled position against invasion, occupation, colonialism, apartheid and all forms of violations of international law, pledging to continue defending respect for sovereignty and the rules based international order.
