January 4, 2026 | Hargeisa, Somaliland — Dalena Reporters
HARGEISA — In an unusual and notable foreign policy statement on Sunday, January 4, 2026, the government of the Republic of Somaliland publicly expressed its support for the recent U.S. military operation in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and has since generated widespread international debate and criticism. Somaliland’s declaration signals a significant alignment with U.S. objectives and reflects a strategic repositioning in Hargeisa’s external relations.
In a press release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Somaliland’s leadership described the U.S. action as part of efforts to restore constitutional order, democratic legitimacy and the rule of law in Venezuela. The statement affirmed Hargeisa’s “principled alignment with the United States in support of calibrated international action” aimed at addressing the crisis in Caracas.
The communiqué emphasised that responsible, coordinated engagement led by the United States and multilateral partners could, in Somaliland’s view, help alleviate humanitarian suffering, counter transnational criminal networks, and support a peaceful, Venezuelan-led political transition grounded in sovereignty, accountability and respect for human rights.
Somaliland’s support comes amid an unprecedented international situation following U.S. military strikes in Venezuela and the detention of Maduro in the United States — a move condemned by many governments as a violation of international law and national sovereignty, but welcomed by some U.S. allies and aligned states.
Analysts say the statement is striking because Somaliland, a self-declared republic seeking broader international recognition, typically refrains from taking definitive positions on distant geopolitical conflicts. Observers note that Somaliland’s increasingly close ties with the United States and its recent diplomatic overtures, including recognition from other states, may be influencing its willingness to voice support for Washington’s foreign policy initiatives.
While the Somaliland government did not specify any concrete commitments beyond rhetoric, its backing of U.S. action in Venezuela represents a departure from the cautious neutrality often displayed by unrecognised or partially recognised states on major international security issues.
The move has prompted discussion among regional diplomats and analysts about Somaliland’s evolving global posture as it seeks strategic partnerships and broader diplomatic acceptance amidst ongoing efforts to solidify its statehood on the world stage.