Six major countries have voiced their deep concern over the US's actions in Venezuela, warning of an extremely dangerous precedent for regional security and peace. The governments of Spain, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Uruguay released a joint statement expressing their alarm over the military actions taken unilaterally on Venezuelan territory, which contravene fundamental principles of international law.
The statement emphasizes that these actions constitute a significant threat to regional stability and put the civilian population at risk. It reiterates that the situation in Venezuela must be resolved exclusively through peaceful means, by means of dialogue, negotiation, and respect for the will of the Venezuelan people.
The six governments express concern regarding any attempt at government control, administration, or external appropriation of natural or strategic resources, which is incompatible with international law and threatens regional stability. They call on regional unity beyond political differences in the face of any action that jeopardizes regional peace.
In response to the US's actions, Venezuela's defense minister, General Vladimir Padrino López, has issued a statement recognizing Vice-President Delcy Rodríguez as the country's acting president. He categorically rejects the "cowardly kidnapping" of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, by the US.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio attempted to distance this weekend's invasion of Venezuela from other invasions in recent decades, saying that the events are "very different". However, some analysts have equated the US actions with similar invasions in the Middle East. Rubio has also stated that the US will continue to pressure Venezuela by seizing Venezuelan oil shipment boats.
US Senator Chris Murphy questioned the Trump administration's motives for abducting and removing Maduro on CNN, suggesting that this is just about American oil interests coming before national security interests.
The statement emphasizes that these actions constitute a significant threat to regional stability and put the civilian population at risk. It reiterates that the situation in Venezuela must be resolved exclusively through peaceful means, by means of dialogue, negotiation, and respect for the will of the Venezuelan people.
The six governments express concern regarding any attempt at government control, administration, or external appropriation of natural or strategic resources, which is incompatible with international law and threatens regional stability. They call on regional unity beyond political differences in the face of any action that jeopardizes regional peace.
In response to the US's actions, Venezuela's defense minister, General Vladimir Padrino López, has issued a statement recognizing Vice-President Delcy Rodríguez as the country's acting president. He categorically rejects the "cowardly kidnapping" of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, by the US.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio attempted to distance this weekend's invasion of Venezuela from other invasions in recent decades, saying that the events are "very different". However, some analysts have equated the US actions with similar invasions in the Middle East. Rubio has also stated that the US will continue to pressure Venezuela by seizing Venezuelan oil shipment boats.
US Senator Chris Murphy questioned the Trump administration's motives for abducting and removing Maduro on CNN, suggesting that this is just about American oil interests coming before national security interests.