Lorraine Williamson
Spain has called for restraint and urgent diplomacy as Venezuela entered a new phase of political and military uncertainty on Friday, following reported US strikes and growing confusion over the whereabouts of President Nicolás Maduro.
While Washington has claimed Maduro was captured during a US operation, there is still no independent confirmation of that assertion. However, senior figures in Caracas now say they cannot verify his location. The lack of clarity has heightened international concern — and prompted a cautious response from Madrid.
Madrid focuses on safety and de-escalation
Spain’s Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares has been in contact with Spain’s embassy in Caracas and with European counterparts as events unfold. Government sources indicate that Spain’s immediate priorities are the safety of its diplomatic staff and Spanish nationals, alongside efforts to prevent further escalation.
Government sources said Spain’s embassy staff in Caracas were safe, according to El País, and have underlined that it is not involved in any military action. Instead, Madrid has publicly urged calm and signalled its willingness to support diplomatic initiatives aimed at stabilising the situation.
What has happened in Venezuela
Venezuelan authorities have accused the United States of “military aggression” following reported strikes in Caracas and other regions, and have declared emergency measures in response. The government has ordered heightened security and mobilisation, while denouncing what it describes as a violation of national sovereignty.
Against that backdrop, US President Donald Trump has claimed that Maduro and his wife were detained and removed from the country. That claim remains unverified at the time of writing, Reuters stated. However, Venezuelan officials have since said they do not know where the president is, further deepening the uncertainty.
Why the crisis matters to Spain
Venezuela’s instability has direct implications for Spain. Thousands of Spanish citizens and dual nationals live in the country, and long-standing family, cultural and economic ties mean developments in Caracas resonate strongly in Madrid.
There is also a broader European dimension. Spain is coordinating closely with EU partners as discussions intensify about a possible collective response, including whether the situation should be raised formally at EU or UN level. For Spain, the crisis tests its traditional preference for dialogue in Latin America at a moment of extreme tension.
A delicate diplomatic balancing act
Spain’s relationship with Venezuela has been strained in recent years by disputes over elections, sanctions and political recognition. That history explains the careful tone now coming from Madrid: firm in defending Spanish interests, but wary of fuelling an already volatile confrontation.
The government’s emphasis on mediation reflects both Spain’s regional ties and its desire to avoid being drawn into a widening geopolitical clash between Washington and Caracas.
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What to watch next
Attention is now focused on whether independent confirmation emerges about Maduro’s status, and on how both sides act in the coming hours. Any further military escalation would likely trigger a stronger EU response, while diplomatic efforts are expected to intensify behind the scenes.
For now, Spain is urging restraint, keeping channels open with partners and monitoring the situation closely — aware that events in Venezuela remain fast-moving, unpredictable and potentially far-reaching.
Sources
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Reuters
— World reacts to US strikes on Venezuela (Jan 3, 2026)
https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/world-reacts-us-strikes-venezuela-2026-01-03/ -
Reuters
— Venezuela rejects ‘military aggression’ by the US, declares emergency (Jan 3, 2026)
https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/venezuela-says-it-rejects-military-aggression-by-us-2026-01-03/ -
El País (English)
— World reactions to US strikes on Venezuela (Jan 3, 2026)
https://english.elpais.com/international/2026-01-03/world-reactions-to-the-us-strikes-on-venezuela.html -
The Guardian
— Venezuela live updates: explosions in Caracas and international reaction (accessed Jan 3, 2026)
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2026/jan/03/caracas-explosions-venezuela-maduro-latest-news-updates-live