Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said that "Israel welcomes the action of the United States led by President Trump, who acted as the leader of the free world. At this historic moment, Israel stands with the freedom-loving Venezuelan people, who suffered under Maduro's illegal dictatorship. Israel welcomes the removal of the dictator who heads a drug and terror network and hopes for the return of democracy to the country and friendly relations between the nations. The people of Venezuela deserve to exercise their democratic right. South America deserves a future free from the drug and terror axis."