Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Spain, Mexico and Uruguay sign statement and express “deep concern”
01/05/2026
The Brazilian government continues to monitor developments following the U.S. attack on Venezuela with concern. Brazilian sources acknowledge the gravity of the U.S. action and the level of interference in the region but recommend caution. They argue that it is necessary to better understand Washington’s next steps and how relations will unfold with Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, who assumed control of the country after the capture of Nicolás Maduro.
After several months in which the U.S. maintained maritime military operations off the Venezuelan coast, the government of Donald Trump bombed the city of Caracas in the early hours of Saturday (3) and seized Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores. The two were taken to New York, where they are expected to stand trial.
On Saturday, Donald Trump said the U.S. government would “run” the country until an “appropriate transition” and announced interest in controlling the region’s oil, stating that he would bring U.S. oil companies to Venezuela.
Meanwhile, there was no consensus at the extraordinary ministerial meeting of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) held on Sunday to discuss the situation in Venezuela after the U.S. attack. The foreign ministers of the region’s 33 countries were able to express their positions during the meeting, which was held virtually, but no joint statement was issued.
CELAC is a heterogeneous bloc, bringing together countries ranging from Cuba to nations aligned with the U.S., such as Argentina. A group of countries understood that there was no point in issuing a joint position. There was also no attempt to seek such consensus, according to a source in Brazilian diplomacy.
On the other hand, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Spain, Mexico and Uruguay released a joint statement even before the CELAC meeting condemning U.S. military actions in Venezuela. They also expressed concern over any attempt at external control or appropriation of natural or strategic resources, in a criticism of remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump that he would bring U.S. oil companies to control Venezuela’s oil.
“We express our concern in the face of any attempt at governmental control, administration or external appropriation of natural or strategic resources, which is incompatible with international law and threatens the political, economic and social stability of the region,” the six countries say. “We reaffirm that only an inclusive political process, led by Venezuelan women and men, can lead to a democratic, sustainable solution that respects human dignity,” they added.
The six signatories took part in the negotiations around the Barbados agreement, which aimed to ensure the holding of elections in Venezuela in 2024. The Brazilian government understood that, at this moment, what was appropriate was a collective statement by countries with similar concerns, Valor has learned.
The CELAC meeting lasted about two hours. Colombia opened the session, followed by remarks from Venezuela’s foreign minister. Argentina was represented by a foreign ministry official. The meeting was closed, but the statements by representatives of Venezuela and Cuba were broadcast by a Venezuelan television network.
At the meeting, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yván Gil appealed for countries in the region to “take a step forward” against U.S. aggression and call for the release of Maduro. “CELAC cannot hesitate. CELAC cannot be divided between timid condemnations and complicit silences. Principles are not negotiable, they are not relative, and they are not softened. Either one stands on the side of international law, or on the side of the law of the strongest. CELAC countries must take a step forward, because remaining silent in the face of this aggression is equivalent to endorsing it,” Gil said.
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez called on countries to set aside political and ideological differences in defense of the independence and sovereignty of each nation in Latin America and the Caribbean. In his remarks, he said it must not be allowed that “force and barbarism prevail over international law.”
Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira represented Brazil at the meeting, which was held by videoconference. The Brazilian minister delivered a brief and concise speech, emphasizing national sovereignty and adherence to international law, in line with the statement released on Saturday morning (3) by President Lula, Valor has learned.
Lula condemned the attacks in a statement, saying the bombings and the capture of Maduro “cross an unacceptable line” and open an “extremely dangerous” precedent for the entire international community. The Brazilian president also said the international community, through the United Nations, needs to respond “vigorously to this episode.” “Brazil condemns these actions and remains available to promote the path of dialogue and cooperation,” the head of the Brazilian executive wrote.
*By Beatriz Roscoe and Andrea Jubé — Brasília
Source: Valor International
https://valorinternational.globo.com/