Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, during the videoconference with overseas missions. Credit: Pool Moncloa/Borja Puig de la Bellacasa
Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has called on Saturday January 3 for restraint and respect for international law following overnight US attacks on Venezuela, as governments across Latin America and beyond voiced alarm over the risk of regional escalation.
Sánchez said the Spanish government is “closely monitoring developments in Venezuela” and confirmed that Spain’s embassy and consulates in the country remain operational. He urged all parties to act responsibly and to respect international law and the principles of the United Nations Charter.
Political reactions within Spain
“We call for de-escalation and responsibility. International law must be respected,” the prime minister said, stressing the need to avoid further instability.
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Opposition leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo also reacted to the strikes, saying it was a “bad day” for the government of Nicolás Maduro and for its allies, “including those within the orbit of the Spanish government”.
Feijóo criticises Maduro and his allies
Writing on X, the Popular Party leader said that prudence was “compatible with hope” that Venezuela could regain the future he claimed had been taken from it “with the complicit silence of too many leaders in my country”.
Feijóo’s remarks underline the deep political divide in Spain over how to respond to the escalating crisis in Venezuela and the role of international actors.
Russia warns of regional escalation
Russia strongly condemned what it described as an “act of armed aggression” by the United States against the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
In a statement issued hours after reports of bombings in Caracas and several Venezuelan states, Moscow warned of the danger of a wider regional escalation and stressed that “Latin America must remain a zone of peace”, referencing commitments made by the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States in 2014.
Defence of Venezuelan sovereignty
The Russian foreign ministry said Venezuela must be guaranteed the right to determine its own destiny “without any destructive interference, and even less military interference from outside”.
It also dismissed Washington’s justifications for the intervention, arguing that ideological hostility had overridden pragmatic considerations.
Colombia activates security measures
In Colombia, President Gustavo Petro announced the activation of a National Security Council and the deployment of public forces along the shared border with Venezuela.
Petro described the US action as an aggression against Venezuelan sovereignty and said Colombia, which currently holds a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council, would seek to convene the body to address the crisis.
Call for dialogue and civilian protection
“The government of Colombia rejects the aggression against the sovereignty of Venezuela,” Petro said, calling for dialogue and unity among the Venezuelan people and reaffirming the UN principle of self-determination.
He expressed “deep concern” over reports of explosions and unusual aerial activity, rejecting “any unilateral military action” that could endanger the civilian population.
Mexico condemns unilateral military action
Mexico’s foreign ministry issued a strong statement condemning what it called unilateral US military actions against targets in Venezuela.
The Mexican government described the strikes as a flagrant violation of Article 2 of the UN Charter and reiterated its commitment to international law and a pacifist foreign policy.
Urgent call to halt hostilities
Mexico urged an immediate cessation of all acts of aggression against the Venezuelan government and people, warning of the serious consequences for regional stability.
The statement reflects growing concern across Latin America about the precedent set by military intervention.
Iran joins international criticism
Iran also joined the chorus of condemnation, with its foreign ministry denouncing the US attack on Venezuelan territory as a clear violation of the UN Charter and fundamental norms of international law.
Tehran specifically cited the prohibition on the use of force and called the action a threat to international peace and security.
Pressure mounts for de-escalation
Iran called on the United Nations and governments that uphold the rule of law to condemn the attack “immediately and unequivocally”.
As reactions continue to pour in, international pressure is mounting for de-escalation and diplomatic engagement to prevent further instability in Venezuela and the wider region.