Condemnations pour in after US bombing of Venezuela, kidnapping of Maduro

An outpouring of condemnation has followed US President Donald Trump’s announcement that the United States had carried out a “large-scale military strike” against Venezuela and abducted its leader, President Nicolas Maduro.

The Venezuelan government, in a statement shortly after the US bombings, slammed Washington for an “extremely serious military aggression.”

“Venezuela rejects, repudiates, and denounces before the international community the extremely serious military aggression perpetrated by the current government of the United States of America against Venezuelan territory and people,” the statement read.

Colombia rejects aggression against Latin America

“Alerting the whole world that they have attacked Venezuela,” Colombian President Gustavo Petro wrote in a series of statements posted on the social media platform X on Saturday.

“The Republic of Colombia reiterates its conviction that peace, respect for international law, and the protection of life and human dignity must prevail over any form of armed confrontation,” Petro said.

The Colombian president said in a separate post that Bogota “rejects the aggression against the sovereignty of Venezuela and of Latin America”.

Petro subsequently declared the mobilization of military troops to the border with Venezuela.

Cuba: We shall overcome

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel expressed a vehement condemnation on social media, charging Washington with perpetrating a “criminal strike” against Venezuela and calling for a prompt international intervention.

Diaz-Canel stated in a post on X that Cuba's purported “zone of peace” was under “brutal assault,” characterizing the actions of the US as “state terrorism” aimed not only at the Venezuelan nation but also at “Our America” in a wider context.

He concluded the statement with the revolutionary slogan: “Homeland or Death, We Shall Overcome.”

Venezuela declares state of emergency after US hits civilian, military targets

At least seven explosions have rocked Venezuela’s Caracas, while low-flying aircraft have been heard in the city’s sky.

In a statement released by multiple Cuban embassies globally, Havana expressed its condemnation of the US military attack against Venezuela.

The statement also “demands an urgent reaction from the international community”, describing the attack as “state terrorism”.

The statement also “demands an urgent reaction from the international community”, describing the attack as “state terrorism”.

China strongly condemns US strikes
 
China said on Saturday it firmly opposes US military strikes on Venezuela and the kidnapping of Maduro, calling it a violation of international law.

“China is deeply shocked and strongly condemns the US's blatant use of force against a sovereign state and its action against its president,” the Chinese foreign ministry said in a statement.

“Such hegemonic behaviour by the US seriously violates international law, infringes upon Venezuela's sovereignty, and threatens peace and security in Latin America and the Caribbean. China firmly opposes it,” it added.

Russia condemns armed aggression

Moreover, the Russian ‍Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Moscow is profoundly troubled and has denounced an “act of armed aggression” against Venezuela perpetrated by the US.

“In the current situation, ‍it is important … to prevent further escalation and to focus on finding a way out of ‌the situation through dialogue,” the ministry said in a statement.

The ministry said, “Venezuela must be ‍guaranteed ‍the right to ​determine ‌its ‌own ‌destiny without any destructive, ‌military intervention ‍from ‌outside.

“‍We reaffirm ​our ‍solidarity with ‍the Venezuelan people and our ​support ‌for its ‌leadership’s ‌policy of defending the ‌country’s national ‍interests and ‌sovereignty,” it added.

Spain offers mediation 

The Spanish ‍Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement that Madrid called for de-escalation, moderation, and respect ​for international ‍law in Venezuela.

It also offered itself as a mediator to help find a peaceful solution in Venezuela.

Italy, Germany monitoring the situation

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said she ‍was “closely monitoring the situation in Venezuela”, also ‍with an aim of “gathering information about our fellow citizens” in the ​country. 

Meloni ‌added she was in constant contact with Italy’s Foreign ‌Minister, Antonio ‌Tajani.

Additionally, Germany’s foreign ministry said it is “monitoring the situation in Venezuela very closely and following the latest reports with great concern.”

“The foreign ministry is in close contact with the embassy in Caracas,” Berlin said, adding that the government’s crisis team was in session and is “coordinating closely with our partners.”

Trump claims Venezuelan President Maduro kidnapped, flown out of country

Venezuelan President Nicholas Maduro and his wife have been kidnapped by the US armed forces, US President Donald Trump claims.

Indonesia calls for de-escalation 

Indonesian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Yvonne Mewengkang also said Jakarta is monitoring developments in Venezuela to ensure the safety of its citizens.

“Indonesia also calls on all relevant parties to prioritize peaceful resolution through de-escalation and dialogue, while prioritizing the protection of civilians.

“Indonesia emphasizes the importance of respecting international law and the principles of the UN Charter.”

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas stated that she has spoken with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the EU ambassador in Caracas regarding the latest developments in Venezuela.

“The EU is closely monitoring the situation in Venezuela,” Kallas said in a statement on X.

“The EU has repeatedly stated that Mr. Maduro lacks legitimacy and has defended a peaceful transition. Under all circumstances, the principles of international law and the UN Charter must be respected. We call for restraint. The safety of EU citizens in the country is our top priority.”

Iran denounces US strikes on Venezuela, urges UNSC to stop aggression

The Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs denounces the US military aggression against Venezuela as a blatant violation of the Latin American country’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity, calling for the UN Security Council’s intervention.

Resistance front condemns US strikes 

Palestinian resistance factions, including the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, have also issued statements condemning the unilateral US attacks against Venezuela.

The PFLP highlighted that continued US military escalation could ignite new global conflict zones and that the attacks constitute an attack on all nations that seek to chart their own independent paths. 

Separately, the Lebanese Hezbollah resistance movement strongly condemned “the terrorist US aggression and thuggish treatment against Venezuela.”

“This aggression represents a further testament to the hegemonic, arrogant, and domineering approach being exercised by the US administration,” it stated.

The group further noted that the US military aggression on Venezuela poses a major threat to peace and stability in the world.

The political bureau of Yemen’s Ansarullah resistance movement vehemently denounced the barbaric US military attacks against Venezuela.

“The US aggression against Venezuela reflects the level of US brutality and criminality. What America is doing in Venezuela proves once again that it is the root cause of all evils and acts of terror,” it said in a statement.

Ansarullah went on to reaffirm its solidarity with the Venezuelan government, nation and President Nicolás Maduro, who has refused to surrender to US hegemony.

It emphasized that Venezuela reserves the right to defend its sovereignty, nation, and resources in the face of the brutal US aggression.

Ansarullah finally called on the international community to act urgently to stop the US aggression and force Washington to respect international principles and norms.

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