Colombia and Cuba denounce US strikes on Venezuela and caution against escalation
Leaders in the region respond angrily as Colombia calls for moderation amid escalating tensions and Cuba denounces suspected US aggression against Venezuela.
Following several explosions in the capital city of Caracas early on Saturday, Cuba and Colombia responded to allegations of US military strikes on Venezuela, sparking new worries about the stability of the Latin American region.
Residents of Caracas reported seeing helicopters, jets, and what seemed to be unmanned aerial vehicles flying overhead in addition to hearing huge explosions in multiple areas.
The Venezuelan government called the event a “serious military aggression,” claiming that US forces attacked military and civilian targets in Caracas and the neighboring states of Miranda, Aragua, and La Guaira.
Later, former US President Donald Trump declared that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife had been apprehended and flown out of the country, claiming that American forces were responsible for the operation. International observers and US defense officials have not yet independently confirmed the assertion.
Miguel Díaz-Canel, the president of Cuba, sharply denounced the purported strike and urged the international community to act quickly. He accused Washington of state terrorism against Venezuela and all of Latin America, characterizing the action as a criminal breach of regional peace.
Demonstrating solidarity with the Venezuelan people, Díaz-Canel remarked, “Our zone of peace is under brutal assault,” cautioning that the offensive jeopardized regional security.
On the other hand, Colombian President Gustavo Petro took a more measured stance, stating that his administration was keeping a careful eye on events. Petro expressed alarm about the reported explosions and the increased aerial activity, but warned against escalation.
“The Colombian government opposes any unilateral military action that could exacerbate the situation or put civilians in danger,” Petro stated, emphasizing the necessity of moderation and communication.
The strikes were also denounced by former Bolivian President Evo Morales, who called them an imperialist attack on Venezuela’s sovereignty. He insisted that the Venezuelan people were not alone in their predicament and promised to stand by them.
The events coincide with long-standing hostilities between Caracas and Washington. The Maduro government has continuously denied the Trump administration’s accusations that Venezuela’s leadership is involved in widespread drug trafficking, which it has used as a justification for foreign intervention and regime change.
While regional and international parties continue to keep an eye on the quickly changing scenario, the US administration has not yet officially confirmed the extent of the operation or the position of Venezuela’s leadership as of the publication of this report.
