Governments and heads of state in Latin America condemned the United States military action in Venezuela on Jan. 3 that saw major strikes in Caracas and the arrest of President Nicolás Maduro.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro said the government there observed the military strikes with “deep concern.”
“[T]he Colombian Government rejects any unilateral military action that could aggravate the situation or put the civilian population at risk,” he said. Colombia shares a border with Venezuela.
El Gobierno de la República de Colombia observa con profunda preocupación los reportes sobre explosiones y actividad aérea inusual registrados en las últimas horas en la República Bolivariana de Venezuela, así como la consecuente escalada de tensión en la región.
Colombia…
— Gustavo Petro (@petrogustavo) January 3, 2026
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, meanwhile, said the strikes and Maduro’s arrest “cross an unacceptable line.”
“These acts represent a most serious affront to Venezuela’s sovereignty and set another extremely dangerous precedent for the entire international community,” he said, calling for the international community to “respond vigorously.”
Os bombardeios em território venezuelano e a captura do seu presidente ultrapassam uma linha inaceitável. Esses atos representam uma afronta gravíssima à soberania da Venezuela e mais um precedente extremamente perigoso para toda a comunidade internacional.
Atacar países, em…
— Lula (@LulaOficial) January 3, 2026
Chilean President Gabriel Boric Font expressed “concern and condemnation” over the military action, calling for “a peaceful solution to the serious crisis affecting the country.”
“The Venezuelan crisis must be resolved through dialogue and the support of multilateralism, and not through violence or foreign interference,” he said.
Como Gobierno de Chile expresamos nuestra preocupación y condena por las acciones militares de Estados Unidos que se desarrollan en Venezuela y hacemos un llamado a buscar una salida pacífica a la grave crisis que afecta al país.
Chile reafirma su adhesión a principios básicos…
— Gabriel Boric Font (@GabrielBoric) January 3, 2026
And in an official statement, the Mexican government said it “condemns and strongly rejects” the U.S. strikes, with the government calling on the U.S. to “cease any act of aggression against the Venezuelan government and people.”
The government “urges the United Nations to act immediately to contribute to the de-escalation of tensions, facilitate dialogue and create conditions that allow a peaceful, sustainable solution in accordance with international law,” the statement said.
