Global reactions poured in on Saturday after the United States launched military strikes on Venezuela, with several countries condemning the action and warning of serious consequences for regional and global
stability.
The operation, announced by US President Donald Trump, reportedly led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
Russia was among the strongest critics of the US action, calling it an act of armed aggression with no valid justification. In a statement, the Russian foreign ministry said Washington’s decision was “deeply concerning and condemnable”.
“The pretexts used to justify such actions are untenable. Ideological hostility has triumphed over businesslike pragmatism,” the statement said.
“We reaffirm our solidarity with the Venezuelan people,” the statement said, adding there were no reports of Russian citizens injured in US strikes.
Iran also condemned the US strikes, accusing Washington of violating Venezuela’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Iranian foreign ministry in a statement said it “strongly condemns the American military attack on Venezuela and the flagrant violation of the national sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country.”
Colombia, which shares a long and sensitive border with Venezuela, responded by increasing security measures. President Gustavo Petro said he had ordered the deployment of military forces to the Venezuelan border following what he described as US attacks.
Petro strongly criticised Washington’s actions, calling them an assault on Latin American sovereignty. He warned that the strikes could trigger a major humanitarian crisis, particularly for countries neighbouring Venezuela that are already dealing with migration pressures.
Meanwhile, Spain adopted a more diplomatic tone, calling for restraint and de-escalation from all sides. The Spanish foreign ministry said Madrid was prepared to act as a mediator to help achieve a peaceful and negotiated solution to the crisis.
“Spain calls for de-escalation and restraint,” the Spanish foreign ministry said in a statement, adding that “in this regard … it is prepared to offer its good offices to achieve a peaceful, negotiated solution to the current crisis”.
(With inputs from AFP)
