Lavrov Condemns U.S. Capture of Maduro and Wife
Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov condemned the U.S. seizure of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Silvia Flores on January 3, 2026, calling it a violation of international law and demanding their immediate release. The couple was taken during a U.S. operation in Venezuela and is being held in a U.S. prison, with a trial scheduled for June 1, 2027.
Consensus
- Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov criticized the U.S. seizure of former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Silvia Flores.
- Lavrov stated that the U.S. action violated international norms and moral standards.
- Russia demands the immediate release of Maduro and his wife.
- The capture occurred on January 3, 2026.
- Maduro and his wife were taken during a U.S. operation in Venezuela.
- The trial of Maduro and his wife is scheduled for June 1.
- Maduro denies the charges and claims he was kidnapped.
Points of divergence
- The U.S. special forces Delta captured Maduro and his wife on January 3, and they were taken to a U.S. prison without trial. — kommersant
- Maduro appeared before a federal judge in Manhattan on January 5 and claimed he was kidnapped. — vedomosti
- Maduro is currently held in a pre-trial detention facility in Brooklyn. — vesti
- The U.S. charges Maduro with drug trafficking and terrorism. — kommersant
- The U.S. charges Maduro with narcotics terrorism, conspiracy to import cocaine into the U.S., and possession of weapons. — vedomosti
- The trial is scheduled for June 1. — vesti
Coverage (3 sources)
- Lavrov condemned the seizure of Maduro and his wife — Коммерсантъ
- Lavrov: Russia insists on the immediate release of Maduro — Ведомости
- Lavrov stated that the Russian Federation insists on the release of Maduro and his wife — Вести
Key entities
- Maduro
- Russia
- Sergey Lavrov
- Venezuela
- Siliey Flores
- Moscow
- USA
- UN
- General Assembly
- MID
- United States
- General Assembly
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