Malaysia: Forced removal of a head of government through external measures sets a dangerous precedent

Published at: 04/01/2026 03:40 PM

The Prime Minister of Malaysia, Anwar Ibrahim, demands that the president of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores be released without delay.

“Whatever the reason, the forced removal of an acting head of government through external measures sets a dangerous precedent for the entire world,” said Ibrahim, reported the Sputnik agency.

He also asserted that he has followed the events in Venezuela with deep concern. “The Venezuelan leader and his wife were captured in a U.S. military operation of unusual scope and nature. Such actions constitute a clear violation of international law and constitute an unlawful use of force against a sovereign State,” he said.

In that regard, he emphasized that these actions erode fundamental restrictions on the exercise of power between States and weaken the legal framework that underpins the international order.

“It is up to the Venezuelan people to determine their own political future. As history has demonstrated, abrupt leadership changes brought about by external forces will bring more harm than good, especially in a country already facing prolonged economic difficulties and deep social tension,” he said.

Mazo News Team