South Africa’s Official Condemnation of US Action in Venezuela Comes from DIRCO – But Not the Top Leaders
CCNews
The dramatic US military operation that led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on January 3, 2026, has sparked global outrage and debate.
That including strong criticism from South Africa. However, while the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) quickly issued a sharp condemnation, President Cyril Ramaphosa and Minister of International Relations Ronald Lamola have remained notably silent.
DIRCO’s statement on January 3 described the US strikes and Maduro’s capture as a “manifest violation” of the United Nations Charter, emphasising that such actions undermine territorial integrity and political independence. The department called for an urgent convening of the UN Security Council to address the crisis, aligning South Africa with countries like Brazil, Mexico, Russia, and China in condemning the intervention.
Yet, as of January 4, neither President Ramaphosa nor Minister Lamola has made a personal public statement on the matter. This absence has fuelled questions on social media and among political observers in South Africa, with many asking:
“Where is the leadership from the top?”
Facebook users and online commentators have highlighted the contrast, with posts circulating widely questioning why DIRCO was swift to respond while the President and Minister have not spoken directly.
One viral comment read: “WAAR IS DAAI LAMOLA EN/OF RAMAPHOSA SE RESPONS OP DIE GEBEURE IN VENEZUELA. ONS WAG…” (Where is Lamola and/or Ramaphosa’s response to the events in Venezuela? We’re waiting…).
South Africa’s stance reflects its long-standing foreign policy principles of non-intervention and respect for sovereignty, principles often invoked in support of multilateralism and opposition to unilateral actions by major powers.
Historical ties between the ANC and Venezuela’s Bolivarian Revolution under Hugo Chávez and Maduro may also play a role in the government’s position.
Critics argue that personal statements from Ramaphosa or Lamola would carry more weight, especially given the high-profile nature of the event:
US President Donald Trump announced that American forces conducted a “large-scale strike” on Venezuela, capturing Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores, who were flown to New York to face drug-trafficking and narco-terrorism charges.
Trump further stated that the US would temporarily “run” Venezuela during a transition period, raising concerns about prolonged intervention.
As the story develops, eyes in South Africa remain on Pretoria. Will Ramaphosa or Lamola break their silence, or will the response remain at the departmental level? In a time of rapid global shifts, many South Africans are waiting for clarity from their leaders.
Cape Coast News will continue to monitor developments and reactions from South African officials.
