Australia's neighbours have reacted strongly to the extraordinary move by US President Donald Trump to depose Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and bring him to the United States.
Mr Trump announced that Washington would temporarily "run" the South American country after US forces captured Mr Maduro and his wife in a military operation not approved by the US Congress or the United Nations Security Council.
Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia, which are prominent members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), resoundingly expressed "grave concern" over the intervention.
"Indonesia expresses its grave concern over any actions involving the use or threat of force, which risk setting a dangerous precedent in international relations," the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement late on Sunday night, Jakarta time.
It said US actions "could undermine regional stability, peace, and the principles of sovereignty and diplomacy".
"It is imperative that the international community respects the right and the will of the people of Venezuela to exercise their sovereignty and to determine their own path and future," the statement said.
Singapore, which is a close strategic partner of the US, said it "consistently opposed actions contrary to international law by any parties, including foreign military intervention in any country".
"Singapore is deeply committed to international law and the principles of the UN Charter that safeguard the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states, especially small states," a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
"Singapore urges all parties to exercise restraint and hopes for a peaceful resolution to the situation in Venezuela in accordance with international law and the principles of the UN Charter."
Malaysia calls for immediate release of Maduro
Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim slammed the US military operation "of unusual scope and nature".
"Such actions constitute a clear violation of international law and amount to an unlawful use of force against a sovereign state," he said in a post on social media.
"President Maduro and his wife must be released without any undue delay.
"Whatever may be the reasons, the forcible removal of a sitting head of government through external action sets a dangerous precedent," he said.
"It erodes fundamental restraints on the use of power between states and weakens the legal framework that underpins international order."
Speaking after the military operation, Mr Trump said Mr Maduro and first lady Cilia Flores would face "the full wrath of American justice, on American soil, in American courts" based on a 2020 indictment in New York for alleged "narco-terrorism".
Venezuela would be governed "by a group" appointed by the US, Mr Trump said, adding that: "We're going to make sure it's run properly."
Malaysia's Mr Ibrahim said it should be up to the people of Venezuela to determine their own political future.
"As history has shown, abrupt changes in leadership brought about through external force will bring more harm than good, what more in a country already grappling with prolonged economic hardship and deep social strain," he said.
Mr Ibrahim's comments echoed an earlier statement by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who warned US actions set a "dangerous precedent".
Forceful statements from South-East Asian states stood in contrast to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's more reserved response.
"We urge all parties to support dialogue and diplomacy in order to secure regional stability and prevent escalation," Mr Albanese said on social media.
"Australia has long held concerns about the situation in Venezuela, including the need to respect democratic principles, human rights and fundamental freedoms," he said.
"We continue to support international law and a peaceful, democratic transition in Venezuela that reflects the will of the Venezuelan people."
The Philippines, which maintains strong military ties with the US, said it was "closely monitoring" the situation in Venezuela.
"The Philippines urges concerned parties to resolve disputes through peaceful means, and to exercise restraint to prevent escalation of conflict," a statement from Department of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Angelica Escalona said.
Thailand urged "all parties" to resolve the conflict peacefully "with full respect for the UN Charter and international law".
Non-intervention is a core principle of the ASEAN bloc, under which member states have agreed not to intervene in each other's domestic affairs to ensure regional stability and security.[Embed Venezuela Zen Desk Form]
