Russia’s Medvedev accuses US of 'stealing' Venezuela’s ousted president Maduro

Russian Security Council deputy chairman Dmitry Medvedev says the U.S. “theft” of Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro undermines international norms and could be seen as an act of war by Caracas, intensifying geopolitical tensions.

Reuters

February 2, 2026

Russia’s Medvedev accuses US of 'stealing' Venezuela’s ousted president Maduro

Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev attends an interview with Reuters, TASS and WarGonzo in the Moscow region, Russia January 29, 2026.

Dmitry Medvedev's Secretary/Reuters

Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council, said the U.S. "theft" of toppled Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro shattered international relations and could be considered by Caracas as an act of war.

"What happened to President Nicolas Maduro is obviously a violation of any norms of international law," Medvedev told Reuters, TASS and the WarGonzo Russian war blogger in an interview at his residence outside Moscow.

"It breaks the whole system of international relations," Medvedev said, adding that if U.S. President Donald Trumpwas "stolen" by a foreign power then the U.S. would certainly consider it an act of war.

-Reporting by Guy Faulconbridge; Editing by Tom Hogue/Reuters