Venezuela’s Iran embassy: US misjudged Maduro, expected a Noriega, found a Mandela
The Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in the Iranian capital, Tehran, has compared abducted President Nicolas Maduro to South Africa's anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela, emphasizing that the United States misjudged Venezuela's leadership and its people.
In a message shared alongside images of Maduro and Mandela, the embassy noted that the US had anticipated a figure similar to former Panamanian leader Manuel Noriega, but instead encountered a situation akin to Mandela's impact.
“They thought they were facing a Manuel Noriega, but fate brought them a Mandela,” the Caracas embassy wrote.
The statement also said the US has failed to comprehend the ideology of “Chavista” Venezuela and the unwavering determination of its people.
The reference to Noriega alluded to the historical context of the US invasion of Panama in December 1989, following which Noriega was apprehended and later faced legal repercussions in the United States.
The comparison drawn by the embassy between Maduro and Mandela serves to underline Caracas's narrative of political resistance and resilience, positioning the detained Venezuelan leader as a symbol of defiance against US pressure rather than a figure destined for Noriega's fate.
Maduro and his wife were abducted from their residence in Caracas on Saturday, flown out of Venezuela by helicopter, and then transported aboard a warship some 3,400 kilometers to New York City to face federal charges.
The aggression capped months of pressure and military buildup off Venezuela’s coast, including dozens of attacks on alleged drug vessels that resulted in at least 115 deaths — operations Caracas has rejected as baseless.
Caracas has consistently rejected any involvement in drug trafficking, maintaining that Washington used narcotics allegations to legitimize an illegal assault aimed at overthrowing the government and seizing control of the country’s vast oil reserves.
Hours after the attack, US President Donald Trump said the United States would run Venezuela temporarily and be “very strongly involved” in its oil industry — remarks that reinforced Venezuelan claims about Washington’s true objectives.
Maduro’s kidnapping was raised at an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council, where a majority of participating countries criticized the US move as contrary to international law.
Iran, Russia and China have condemned the operation, demanding the immediate release of Maduro.
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