The government of Ghana has condemned what it describes as a unilateral and unauthorised military invasion of Venezuela by the United States, which resulted in the 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, Ghana said it was alarmed by the development, which reportedly occurred in the early hours of Saturday, January 3.

Attached below a copy of the full statement

PRESS RELEASE

GHANA ALARMED AND DEPLORES MILITARY INVASION OF VENEZUELABY THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND ITS SUBSEQUENT ABDUCTION OF PRESIDENT NICOLÁS MADURO AND HIS WIFE

ACCRA, 4TH JANUARY, 2026 - The Government of the Republic of Ghana is alarmed at the unilateral and unauthorised invasion of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela by the United States of America and the subsequent abduction of President Nicolás Madur and his wife, Cilia Flores, in the early hours of Saturday, 3rd January, 2026.

Ghana expresses strong reservations against unilateral use of force and strongly deplores such acts that violate the Charter of the United Nations and international law, as well as the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political independence of States.

The Ghanaian Government is keenly following the situation in Venezuela with great concern, and notes that such assaults on international law, attempts at the occupation of foreign territories and apparent external control of oil resources have extremely adverse implications on international stability and the global order.

Ghana also notes with deep concern statements by US President, Donald Trump, that the US will "run" Venezuela "until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition" and that US large oil companies will be asked to "go in."

These declarations are reminiscent of the colonial and imperialist era. They set a dangerous precedent for the global order. Such colonial ambitions should have no place in the post-Second World War era.

To allow this is to put the international community at great risk and undermine the sovereignty of every country. Ghana, therefore, re-affirms its commitment to the principle of self-determination and holds the firm view that only the Venezuelan people should freely determine their political and democratic future.

Ghana calls for immediate de-escalation and the release of President Maduro and his wife.

The Government of Ghana shall maintain and defend its long-held principled position against invasion, occupation, colonialism, apartheid, disregard for sovereignty and all forms of violation of international law.