First Minister John Swinney 'deeply concerned' at events unfolding in Venezuela

John Swinney says he is “deeply concerned” after the United States hit Venezuela with a “large-scale strike” early on Saturday morning.

The First Minister said it was “absolutely essential that all nations act within the international rules-based system”.

His comments come after Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was captured and flown out of the country after months of stepped-up pressure by Washington.

US Attorney General Pam Bondi said Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, would face charges after an indictment in New York. Bondi vowed in a social media post that the couple would “soon face the full wrath of American justice on American soil in American courts”.

Trump said the US planned to run Venezuela until a transition of power can take place, and he claimed the American presence was already in place.

Commenting on the events, Swinney said: “I am deeply concerned at the events we have witnessed unfold in Venezuela over the course of today. The Maduro regime is without doubt illegitimate and authoritarian but it is absolutely essential that all nations act within the international rules based system.

“The international community must now ensure that de-escalation, diplomacy and democracy are the foundations of what follows the events of the last few hours.”

Maduro was indicted in 2020 on “narco-terrorism” conspiracy charges, but it was not previously known that his wife had been.

The Justice Department released a new indictment on Saturday of Maduro and his wife for an alleged role in narco-terrorism conspiracy.

The night-time operation was announced by Trump on social media hours after the attack.

It echoed the US invasion of Panama that led to the surrender and seizure of its leader, Manuel Antonio Noriega, in 1990 – exactly 36 years ago on Saturday.

Multiple explosions rang out and low-flying aircraft swept through Caracas, the capital, as Maduro’s government immediately accused the United States of attacking civilian and military installations.

The Venezuelan government called it an “imperialist attack” and urged citizens to take to the streets.