Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel has characterized the United States military strikes on Venezuela as “state terrorism against the Venezuelan people,” offering one of the strongest condemnations following Saturday’s operation that captured President Nicolás Maduro. The Cuban response reflects deep concerns among leftist Latin American governments about American military intervention in the region.
Díaz-Canel’s statement aligns with broader criticism from progressive South American leaders including Brazil’s Lula, Colombia’s Petro, Mexico’s Sheinbaum, and Chile’s Boric. These leaders have warned that attacking countries in violation of international law represents a dangerous step toward a world governed by violence rather than multilateral cooperation and established legal norms.
The captured Venezuelan president and his wife Cilia Flores are being transported to New York to face drug trafficking charges, according to US officials. Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed criminal proceedings, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated the charges would relate to narcotics operations that the Trump administration has long accused the Maduro government of facilitating.
The international community has responded with widespread condemnation, with UN Secretary General António Guterres warning of dangerous precedents and major powers including China, Russia, and France criticizing the operation as a violation of sovereignty. European leaders have called for respect of international law, even as some acknowledged never recognizing Maduro’s regime as legitimate.
The divided response in South America highlights ideological fractures, with right-wing governments like Argentina offering support while leftist administrations condemned the intervention. Colombia has mobilized its armed forces due to concerns about potential refugee movements, and experts debate whether external military action can successfully transform Venezuelan politics or will simply perpetuate instability and authoritarian patterns that have characterized the country for decades.
