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The Australian prime minister says he backs a \u201cpeaceful, democratic transition\u201d of power in Venezuela after the forcible capture of Nicol\u00e1s Maduro<\/a> by the US military, but has urged that international law be respected.<\/p>\n In a cautious statement, Anthony Albanese said his government was \u201cmonitoring developments\u201d after Venezuela\u2019s president and his wife were captured<\/a> and transported to the US.<\/p>\n \u201cWe urge all parties to support dialogue and diplomacy in order to secure regional stability and prevent escalation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Sign up: AU Breaking News email<\/sub><\/a><\/p>\n Albanese said Australia had long held concerns about the situation in Venezuela<\/a>, \u201cincluding the need to respect democratic principles, human rights and fundamental freedoms\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cWe continue to support international law and a peaceful, democratic transition in Venezuela that reflects the will of the Venezuelan people,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n The Australian government\u2019s Smartraveller website urges Australians not to travel to Venezuela.<\/p>\n \u201cDo not travel to Venezuela due to the dangerous security situation, the threat of violent crime, political and economic instability and risk of arbitrary detention,\u201d the advice reads.<\/p>\n \u201cThere are reports of military activity in and around Venezuela, including Caracas. The security situation is unpredictable and may deteriorate. Be prepared to shelter in place. Make sure you have enough supplies, including food, water and medicine.\u201d<\/p>\n Australia does not have an embassy in Venezuela. The website advised Australian citizens who needed assistance to call the emergency consular assistance team on +61 2 6261 3305 from anywhere in the world or 1300 555 135 from within Australia.<\/p>\n One group, the Venezuelan Association of Australia, issued a statement saying it stood \u201cin solidarity with Venezuelans at home and across the diaspora\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cFor Venezuelans living in Australia, this moment carries deep and complex emotions shaped by years of political repression, family separation and displacement,\u201d the statement said.<\/p>\n \u201cOur hope remains for a free democratic, and united Venezuela where people can live with dignity and opportunity.\u201d<\/p>\n Australia\u2019s opposition leader, Sussan Ley, said she welcomed Maduro\u2019s removal from power, saying: \u201cWe should live in a world where dictators and despots face justice for their crimes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUnder his rule, Venezuela has endured years of repression, systemic human rights abuses, corruption, and the crushing of basic democratic freedoms \u2013 driving immense suffering and forcing millions to flee,\u201d Ley said.<\/p>\n But the Greens\u2019 defence spokesperson, David Shoebridge, alleged the kidnapping of the president was a gross breach of international law<\/a>, and \u201ccontinues the world on a dangerous path of lawless aggression\u201d.<\/p>\n He said the people of Venezuela deserved the right to live in peace and elect their government, but that the US intervention would put those rights further out of reach.<\/p>\n \u201cLawlessness without consequences helps dictators, tyrants and aggressors. It places the world on a very dangerous footing,\u201d Shoebridge said.<\/p>\n \u201cThis US war is not about self-defence, like so many before it, this is a war about resources, oil and dominance.\u201d<\/p>\n In the early hours of Saturday local time, the US military launched a lightning raid<\/a> on Venezuela\u2019s capital, forcibly capturing Maduro and his wife. The couple were flown to New York, where, the US says, they will be arraigned on drugs and weapons trafficking charges.<\/p>\n It is unclear who is in control in Venezuela.<\/p>\n Donald Trump has said the US would indefinitely \u201crun the country\u201d after Maduro\u2019s removal and would seize Venezuela\u2019s massive oil reserves.<\/p>\n But Maduro\u2019s vice-president, Delcy Rodr\u00edguez, a loyalist, has appeared on television and radio in Caracas, contradicting the US president, who described her as Venezuela\u2019s new president and said she was cooperating with the US. Rodr\u00edguez said Maduro was Venezuela\u2019s \u201conly\u201d president and that the country would not be colonised.<\/p>\n The UN security council was due to hold an emergency meeting on Monday.<\/p>\nWorld leaders react<\/h2>\n