Left-Wing Governments Condemn U.S. Operation in Venezuela

The left-leaning administrations of Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Uruguay, and Spain issued a joint statement over the weekend opposing the recent U.S. law enforcement operation in Venezuela, which resulted in the capture of Nicolás Maduro, the socialist leader of the country.

Published in both Spanish and Portuguese, the statement conveyed the group’s “deep concern and rejection of the military action carried out unilaterally on Venezuelan soil” and criticized the U.S. operation as a breach of the United Nations Charter.

Colombia’s president, Gustavo Petro, shared the statement on his official X account, emphasizing its significance.

“These actions create a very dangerous precedent for peace and regional security, risking civilian lives,” part of the statement read.

The statement further emphasized that the crisis in Venezuela should be resolved solely through peaceful means, avoiding any outside interference and adhering to international law. It highlighted the importance of dialogue and respect for the Venezuelan people’s wishes in various forms. The six countries reaffirmed that only an inclusive political process driven by Venezuelans can lead to democratic and sustainable outcomes that uphold human dignity.

Continuing their joint declaration, the six governments reiterated that Latin America and the Caribbean represent a “zone of peace,” a concept that has been consistently endorsed. This notion was originally established in 2011 by the late Venezuelan leader Hugo Chávez within the CELAC bloc, comprising 33 countries, deliberately excluding the U.S. and Canada.

The statement urged U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres and member states of U.N. agencies to assist in easing tensions and promoting peace in the region.

“We are concerned about any attempts at external control or exploitation of natural or strategic resources that contradict international law and threaten the region’s political, economic, and social stability,” it concluded.

This condemnation follows the U.S. military’s Operation Absolute Solution, executed on Saturday, which led to the capture of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, in Caracas. Both are allegedly set to appear in U.S. federal court on Monday to face multiple drug-terrorism charges.

U.S. courts have previously indicted Maduro and other members of his authoritarian regime, with accusations suggesting he is the leader—or possibly the principal figure—of the Sunshine Cartel, an international cocaine trafficking network operated by high-ranking Venezuelan officials.