MADRID -- The Spanish government on Saturday called for "de-escalation" following the United States attack on the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, which led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on social media that "the Spanish government is closely following the events in Venezuela and both our embassy and consulates are operating."

"We call for de-escalation and for responsibility," wrote Sanchez, stressing that "International Law needs to be respected."

The Spanish Ministry for Foreign Affairs also issued a communique which called for "de-escalation and moderation, and for all actions to be respected in accordance with International Law and the principles of the UN Charter."

According to official figures, around 136,000 Spanish citizens were registered as living in Venezuela in 2023.

The Spanish Foreign Ministry said it was "closely monitoring the situation of the Spanish community in the country," and confirmed that staff at the Embassy and Consulate of Spain in Caracas, as well as their families, are safe.