Israel congratulated US President Donald Trump on Saturday for his successful operation to capture Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife, with Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar declaring that the United States “acted as the leader of the free world,” while expressing hope that Jerusalem and Caracas can reestablish ties.

Earlier Saturday, the US carried out a large-scale military operation in and around Caracas, bombing military sites and sending special forces to abduct the Venezuelan strongman and prosecute him in the US for narco-terrorism charges.

“At this historic moment, Israel stands alongside the freedom-loving Venezuelan people, who have suffered under Maduro’s illegal tyranny,” Sa’ar said hours later in a statement.

“Israel welcomes the removal of the dictator who led a network of drugs and terror and hopes for the return of democracy to the country and for friendly relations between the states,” he said.

“The people of Venezuela deserve to exercise their democratic rights. South America deserves a future free from the axis of terror and drugs,” Sa’ar added.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also implied support for the operation, congratulating Trump on X for his “bold and historic leadership on behalf of freedom and justice.”

Netanyahu conspicuously did not mention the operation, Venezuela or........

© The Times of Israel