Global reactions to US bombing of Venezuela | International

The American attacks against Venezuela in recent hours have provoked various reactions in the main international capitals. The president of neighboring Colombia, Gustavo Petro, was one of the first leaders to protest. “Right now they are bombing Caracas. Alert the whole world, they have attacked Venezuela. They are bombing with missiles. The OAS and the UN must meet immediately,” he wrote on his X account at two in the morning (eight in the morning in mainland Spain).

Subsequently, Petro issued a broader statement in which he highlighted the Colombian government’s rejection of any unilateral military action endangering the civilian population, as well as his country’s “unrestricted commitment” to the principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter, in particular respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states, the prohibition of the use or threat of use of force, and the peaceful resolution of disputes between countries.

Petro called for the preservation of regional peace and made an urgent demand for de-escalation, “urging all parties involved to refrain from any actions that could deepen the confrontation and to prioritize dialogue and diplomatic channels.”

“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,” he concluded.

From Argentina, President Javier Milei celebrated the US attack and capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro with an X-shaped message in which he briefly wrote: “Freedom advances. Long live fucking freedom.” The message attaches a link from the Infobae media in which the capture of the Chavista leader is announced.

Evo Morales, former president of Bolivia, also posted a message of condemnation on he wrote.

Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, President of the Republic of Cuba, “urgently” requested the reaction of the international community against the “criminal attack” of the United States against Venezuela. “Our zone of peace is brutally attacked. State terrorism against the brave Venezuelan people and against our America. Homeland or death, we will win!”, he published on his X account.

In Spain, the government confirmed an “air attack” on Caracas and assured that all staff of the Spanish embassy in the Venezuelan capital were safe after the Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares, already spoke with the Spanish ambassador to the American country. Sources in the Spanish executive also said that all information on the explosions was being collected.

EU calls for respect for international law in Venezuela

The High Representative for Foreign Policy and Security of the European Union, Kaja Kallas, launched on Saturday a call for moderation in Venezuela and respect for international law, reports Maria R. Sahuquillo. The Estonian politician, who was the first person among the leaders of community institutions to speak out on the situation in Venezuela, avoided making direct references to Trump’s attacks and the capture of Nicolas Maduro. Kallas assured that the Union was following the situation in this Latin American country “very closely” and had already spoken with the American Secretary of State, Marco Rubio.

“The EU has repeatedly stated that Maduro lacks legitimacy and has defended a peaceful transition,” Kallas wrote in a brief communication posted on social media. “In all circumstances, the principles of international law and the Charter of the United Nations must be respected. We call for moderation.”

Condemnation of Russia

Russia went even further by condemning, through its Foreign Ministry, US aggression. Its embassy in Venezuela, a country of which it is an ally, indicated that its offices were not affected by the attacks and claims to maintain contact with the Venezuelan authorities, which constitutes Moscow’s first reaction. “The neighborhood where the embassy is located and adjacent areas were not attacked,” said Ambassador Sergei Melik-Bagdasarov, quoted by Russian agencies. Melik-Bagdasarov added that the legation employees continue their work.

Two of the country’s senators also condemned Washington’s attacks and urged the international community to respond. Meanwhile, independent media Insider assures that Russian President Vladimir Putin went to the Kremlin to address the events in a series of closed-door meetings, reports Efe.

Prior to these attacks, Russia denounced the United States’ military presence and actions in the Caribbean as a threat to regional peace and stability, emphasizing that such operations violated Venezuela’s sovereignty and international law.

Venezuela’s ally Iran also condemned the US attack on Caracas, calling it a “blatant violation of its national sovereignty and territorial integrity.” Iran’s Foreign Ministry called on the UN Security Council to “act immediately to end this illegal aggression” and hold those responsible to account.

Italy offered its Venezuelan citizens its diplomatic network in case of emergency and recommended them not to leave their country and to remain cautious. “I am following the situation of our diplomatic representation in Caracas with particular attention to the Italian community. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is constantly informed. The Ministry’s Crisis Unit is operational,” wrote the Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Antonio Tajani, on the social network dual nationality due to their Italian ancestors.