On Tuesday, January 6, 2026, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa made headlines by condemning the United States’ military operation in Venezuela, which saw President Nicolás Maduro forcibly seized. Speaking at a memorial event for a late anti-apartheid activist under a Venezuelan flag, Ramaphosa called on the international community to act.
“We utterly reject the actions that the United States has embarked upon and stand with the people of Venezuela,” he said, urging “decisive action” from the United Nations Security Council. The statement marks a clear rift with Washington and highlights South Africa’s frustration with global power dynamics. 🌎
Inside South Africa’s Government of National Unity, reactions were swift:
- The Democratic Alliance (DA) accused the ANC of double standards for not condemning Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. 🤔
- Freedom Front Plus called the foreign ministry’s position “politicized” and welcomed Maduro’s removal as “the end of the socialist failure.” 🎉
These clashes arrive amid ongoing disputes with the US over South Africa’s case against Israel at the International Court of Justice and the threat of American trade tariffs. Analysts warn that mounting tensions could lead to economic risks, from higher consumer prices to export slowdowns. 📉💰
As the world watches, all eyes are on whether the United Nations Security Council will step up to mediate the crisis. For South Africa, balancing solidarity, diplomatic interests, and economic stability has become a high-stakes challenge. 🕺💼
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
