Russia's Medvedev says US 'theft' of Maduro shatters international relations

He says Caracas could view the action as an “act of war”

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

Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council, said the US "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 US President Donald Trumpwas "stolen" by a foreign power then the US would certainly consider it an act of war.