President Cyril Ramaphosa and leaders of the Government of National Unity (GNU) after a two-day retreat at the Cradle of Humankind in 2025. PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa’s opposition to the US military operation against deposed Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro has led to divisions within his national unity government. The USs’ strike on Caracas and capture of Maduro Saturday stunned the world, drawing praise and condemnation from Washington allies and foes alike.
Parties within South Africa’s unity government reacted differently, some accusing Ramaphosa’s ANC of presenting its strong condemnation as the national response. Washington boycotted the G20 summit in South Africa in November and has barred Pretoria’s participation under its own presidency of the group of leading economies. Speaking in front of a Venezuelan flag during Joe Slovo’s commemoration, Ramaphosa said South Africa was concerned by the US aggression and demanded the release of the deposed leader and his wife. “We reject utterly the actions that the United States has embarked upon and stand with the people of Venezuela,” Ramaphosa said, urging “decisive action” from the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
