Philippines urges US, Venezuela to exercise restraint amid conflict

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A person flutters a national flag in Caracas on January 3, 2026, after US forces captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.

AFP / Federico Parra

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine government urged restraint amid the actions by the United States in Venezuela following the arrest of its president, Nicolas Maduro.

According to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Sunday, January 4, it is closely monitoring the situation in Venezuela after the US action and assured assistance to affected Filipinos.

"The Philippines urges concerned parties to resolve disputes through peaceful means, and to exercise restraint to prevent escalation of conflict," it added.

The DFA also said that the Philippine Embassy in Colombia is prepared to assist Filipinos in Venezuela.

“The Philippine Embassy in Bogota, which serves as non-resident mission for Venezuela, has issued a travel and safety advisory to Filipinos in Venezuela, and stands ready to provide assistance to them, as necessary and appropriate, to keep them out of harm’s way,” the DFA said.

On January 3 (Manila time), US President Donald Trump confirmed that American military forces captured Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, in an overnight operation and transferred him to the United States to face criminal charges.

He later said Washington would temporarily “run” Venezuela during a transition period.

Residents in Caracas were forced to evacuate into the streets in search of safety following a series of blasts and the presence of aircraft flying at low altitudes throughout the area.

US Attorney General Pamela Bondi said that Maduro has been indicted in the Southern District of New York.

According to Bondi, Maduro was charged with “Narco-Terrorism Conspiracy, Cocaine Importation Conspiracy, Possession of Machineguns and Destructive Devices, and Conspiracy to Possess Machineguns and Destructive Devices against the United States.”

“They will soon face the full wrath of American justice on American soil in American courts,” Bondi said in a social media post on Jan. 3, 2025.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Embassy in Colombia has encouraged Filipino nationals to remain cautious, stay updated on current developments, and ensure they have access to emergency contact information.

The following are the contact numbers of the Philippine Embassy in Colombia, in case Filipinos need assistance: