Latin American and European Governments Denounce U.S. Military Action in Venezuela as Violation of International Law

 

A coordinated diplomatic rebuke has emerged from a group of nations spanning Latin America and Europe in response to the recent United States military operation in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro. Spain, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Uruguay issued a joint condemnation, warning that the intervention violates international law, undermines regional peace, and puts civilian lives at risk. 

In a strongly worded joint statement, the six countries expressed deep concern and firm rejection of what they described as unilateral military actions carried out on Venezuelan territory. They argued that the strikes and seizure of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, contravene fundamental principles of international law, particularly the prohibition on the use and threat of force, respect for sovereignty, and territorial integrity as enshrined in the United Nations Charter. 

“We express our deep concern and rejection of the military actions carried out unilaterally in Venezuelan territory, which contravene fundamental principles of international law, including the prohibition of the use and threat of force and respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states,” the statement said.

A Dangerous Precedent for Regional Peace

The governments warned that the U.S. operation sets an “extremely dangerous precedent” for peace and security across the Americas. They stressed that military intervention by external powers, particularly without U.N. Security Council authorization or clear grounds in self-defense, threatens the longstanding regional commitment to non-intervention and peaceful dispute resolution.

Analysts note that Latin America has a history of emphasizing sovereignty and diplomatic solutions, rooted in past experiences with foreign interference. The joint communique reaffirms this tradition, asserting that only a Venezuelan-led political process can deliver a sustainable and legitimate resolution to the country’s deep political crisis.

Calls for Peaceful, Inclusive Dialogue

The six nations reiterated their support for negotiations and political dialogue as the only viable path to ending the ongoing crisis in Venezuela. Their statement urged the United Nations and regional bodies to engage constructively to reduce tensions and prevent further escalation. They also underscored the importance of protecting civilian populations, urging all parties to respect human rights and international humanitarian norms.

In addition to legal concerns, the joint declaration voiced alarm over potential foreign control or influence over Venezuela’s natural resources, a reference to remarks by U.S. officials about possible post-operation management of Venezuelan assets. Such developments, the countries said, would further erode sovereignty and contravene accepted international norms.

Wider Global Backlash and Diplomatic Fallout

The joint condemnation from Spain, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Uruguay reflects wider global discomfort with the U.S. action. Other governments and institutions, including China, human rights organizations, and the United Nations, have also expressed concern that the operation may violate international law and contribute to instability in the region.

While the United States defends its operation as justified on security grounds, critics argue that circumventing established international legal frameworks, especially in a region historically sensitive to foreign military interventions, could destabilize diplomatic norms and embolden similar actions elsewhere.