Opponents of ousted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro demonstrate in Doral, Florida, on January 4, 2026. Giorgio Viera, AFP
MANILA -- The political turmoil that ensued after United States forces arrested Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas earlier this week is not expected to have a "perceptible effect" on the Philippine economy, Economic Development Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said on Monday.
The United States — the Philippines' traditional ally and major trade partner — drew criticism for launching an operation on Venezuelan soil to capture Maduro, who US President Donald Trump had accused of condoning the entry and growth of illegal drug operations in the US.
"With respect to the impact of the Venezuela there's hardly nothing," Balisacan told Palace reporters.
"I don't think that there's a going to be [a] perceptible effect on us," he said.
"Unless that we'll have some, you know duplication elsewhere you know, you have seen it emboldened some other government to do similar things and of course that will have indirect effects on us but as it is, our link directly or indirectly with the Venezuelan economy is not strong," he said.
READ: PH airs concern over situation in Venezuela, stresses 'sovereign equality of states'
The Philippines' Department of Foreign Affairs earlier said it "views with concern" the situation in Venezuela, adding that while it acknowledges US' "underlying security considerations," principles of international law such as "non-interference in the domestic affairs of sovereign states" should still be observed.
"[T]he Philippines stresses the relevant principles of international law, including the independence and sovereign equality of states, the peaceful resolution of disputes, the prohibition against the threat or use of force, and non-interference in the domestic affairs of sovereign states," the DFA said.
The DFA called on concerned parties to honor international law and prevent escalation of conflict for the "well-being of all the people, including the Filipinos living in Venezuela and the surrounding countries."
There are about 80 Filipinos in Venezuela.
Meanwhile, House Senior Deputy Minority Leader and Caloocan City 2nd District Representative Edgar Erice aired his concerns over the situation.
"Maliwanag na maliwanag na invasion. Kung arrest, kukunin lang 'yung Presidente, iiwanan na. Iiwanan na dapat 'yung bansa. Pero ito, invasion," Erice said. "This is an invasion."
"Wala itong place sa isang democratic na mundo, na bansa," he added. -- with a report from Vivienne Gulla, ABS-CBN News