As a result of the military operation conducted by the United States in Venezuela on January 3, the international community began to actively call for a de-escalation of tensions and adherence to international norms. U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores, who were brought to the United States to face charges of "narcoterrorism."
The international reaction to this move was varied. European statesmen, in particular, expressed their concern and called for a peaceful resolution of the conflict. Trump stated that the operation was a necessary measure in response to the situation in Venezuela.
The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, did not condemn Washington's actions but emphasized that the EU is closely monitoring the developments. She expressed support for the people of Venezuela and insisted on the need for a democratic transition that must meet international standards.
Similar statements were made by the President of the European Council, António Costa, who highlighted the importance of resolving the conflict within the framework of international law and the principles enshrined in the UN Charter.
The UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, expressed "deep concern" over the escalation of the conflict. He noted that U.S. actions could have serious consequences for the region and called for adherence to international law.
The Venezuelan government immediately responded to the U.S. strikes, calling for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council. Venezuela's Foreign Minister, Ivan Gil Pinto, characterized the U.S. actions as "criminal aggression."
Meanwhile, Russia and China also condemned the U.S. military actions. The Russian Foreign Ministry expressed "deep concern" over the situation and called for dialogue, emphasizing Venezuela's right to determine its own fate. In China, Washington's actions were characterized as "a violation of international law," and they called for respect for Venezuela's sovereignty.
Against this backdrop, Colombia announced the deployment of its troops to the border with Venezuela. President Gustavo Petro condemned the American actions, warning of a possible humanitarian crisis in the event of a refugee influx.
Cuba also protested against U.S. aggression, stating the need for an immediate response from the international community. The President of Cuba, Miguel Díaz-Canel, called Washington's actions "state terrorism."
In the U.S., criticism of the Trump administration's military actions grew among Democratic senators. Senator Andy Kim pointed out the inconsistency between the administration's statements about not intending to change the regime in Venezuela and the actual actions, emphasizing that this creates a dangerous precedent.
Other senators also expressed dissatisfaction, pointing out the lack of Congressional authorization for military actions and noting that such actions jeopardize Americans and international stability.
Source: Deutsche Welle
