Russia and Iran widely condemned the U.S. attack on Venezuela early Saturday, while other world leaders called for de-escalation and said they were monitoring the situation closely.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry said Saturday’s attack on Venezuela was an “act of armed aggression” and “deeply worrying and condemnable.”
“The pretexts used to justify such actions are baseless…In the current situation, it is important first and foremost to focus on preventing further escalation and finding a way to defuse the situation through dialogue.”
“Latin America must remain a zone of peace, as it declared it to be in 2014, and Venezuela must be guaranteed the right to determine its own destiny, free from any destructive external interference, much less military interference.”
The ministry said it was calling for an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council, along with Venezuelan authorities and leaders of Latin American countries.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei said the United States was “arrogantly trying to impose something on the country, on its officials, on its government and on its state” in Venezuela.
“We will not yield to the enemy,” he said.
In a social media post about X, Colombian President Gustavo Petro said the US attack was an “aggression against the sovereignty of Venezuela and Latin America” and called for a meeting of the UN Security Council.
Petro said Colombia also said it was sending troops to its border “in preparation for a large influx of refugees.”
Caja Callas, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, said in a post on X that the European Union is closely monitoring the situation in Venezuela.
“I spoke with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the ambassador in Caracas…The EU has repeatedly said that Mr. Maduro lacks legitimacy and supports a peaceful transition of power,” she said.
Karas added: “In all circumstances, international law and the principles of the UN Charter must be respected. We call for restraint. The safety of EU nationals at home is our top priority.”
In Germany, Roderich Kiesewetter, a prominent member of the conservative Christian Democratic Union, called the US attack a “coup.”
“With President Trump, America is abandoning the rules-based order that has shaped our country since 1945.” “The Venezuelan coup marks a return to an old pre-1940 American principle of thinking in terms of spheres of influence governed by the law of force rather than international law.”
“President Trump is trying to destroy what trust is left in America,” Kiesewetter added.
Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Maxime Prévost said the safety of Benezer’s citizens is the European nation’s top priority.
“The embassy in Bogotá and our services in Brussels in charge of Venezuela are being mobilized. We are closely monitoring the situation in coordination with our European partners.”
Spain’s Foreign Ministry called on the United States to de-escalate hostilities.
“In this regard, Spain is willing to demonstrate goodwill in order to achieve a peaceful and negotiated solution to the current crisis,” the statement said.
Giuseppe Conte, Italy’s former prime minister and current opposition leader, said the US operation had “no legal basis”.
“We are faced with a blatant violation of international law that proves the superiority of the militaryly strongest and best-equipped. … I hope that the entire international community makes its voice heard and that everyone understands that no one can feel safe anymore if the rules apply only to enemies and not to friends. Nor can the illiberal nature of government governance justify attacks on sovereign states.”
Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Yvonne Mwenkan said the country is closely monitoring developments to ensure the safety of Venezuelans.
“Indonesia also calls on all parties concerned to prioritize peaceful resolution through de-escalation and dialogue, prioritizing the protection of civilians.”
“Indonesia emphasizes the importance of respecting international law and the principles of the United Nations Charter.”
In Trinidad and Tobago, Prime Minister Camara Persad-Bissessar has made it clear that the country is not participating in the US military operation in Venezuela.
“Trinidad and Tobago continues to maintain peaceful relations with the people of Venezuela,” Persado-Bissessar said.
— CNBC contributed to this report.
