The Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL) has condemned what it described as acts of aggression against Venezuela, including reports of the kidnapping of the country’s president, Nicolás Maduro, and his wife by the United States of America.

In a statement issued on Saturday, SPYL secretary general Ephraim Nekongo said the youth league rejects any actions that undermine international law, national sovereignty and the United Nations Charter. He said the organisation stands in solidarity with the Venezuelan people and their leadership.

“The Swapo Party Youth League has learnt with concern about events affecting the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and the reported kidnapping of Venezuela’s democratically elected leadership,” Nekongo said.

The youth league, he said, remains committed to justice, self-determination and solidarity among countries of the Global South, warning against foreign intervention in Venezuela’s internal affairs.

He called on the international community, particularly progressive movements, not to ignore actions that threaten Venezuela’s sovereignty and democratic gains, while urging the United Nations to act urgently to defend Venezuela’s sovereignty, protect its people and uphold the UN Charter.

“We insist on the immediate cessation of all military actions targeting Venezuela and the immediate and safe return of the legitimately elected President, Nicolás Maduro, to Venezuela,” he said.

SPYL also appealed to regional and international bodies to support peaceful and lawful solutions that respect Venezuela’s constitutional processes and electoral integrity. The youth league further called on progressive youth movements worldwide to speak out in defence of peace, national dignity and self-determination.