CARACAS/HAVANA – Venezuelan Communication and Information Minister Freddy Nanez on Sunday condemned as a “war crime” the US attack on the South American nation earlier this month.
At an international cultural event, Nanez underlined the historical responsibility of the international cultural community in the face of an escalation of violence and a process of weakening international law.
His remarks came just over a week after US military strikes against the South American nation caused at least 100 deaths and led to the seizure of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife.
The stigmatization against Venezuela responds to economic interests associated with its natural resources rather than ideological motivations, he said, recalling historical precedents of external interference in other nations.
According to Nanez, there has been an intensification of hostility since 2019 with sanctions, covert operations and the illegal appropriation of Venezuelan assets, but “Venezuela will not surrender.”
He also called upon poets, artists and intellectuals around the world to assume ethical and active responsibility in the face of threats to the self-determination of peoples.
Also on Sunday, Venezuela’s Acting President Delcy Rodriguez said the Venezuelan people must trust their political leadership in the face of actions that may seem “hard to understand”, given the current complexity of the Venezuelan political environment.
In a televised address, she also called for national unity, which includes all political and social sectors.
Rodriguez reiterated her request for confidence in the political leaders, explaining that a “solid strategy” is being implemented against the adversary.
On Jan 7, the Venezuelan government announced negotiations to increase oil sales to the United States. Two days later, it announced the decision to begin an “exploratory” diplomatic process with the White House aimed at restoring diplomatic missions in both countries.
‘Fraternal’ ties with Cuba
Separately, Venezuela reiterated its “historic stance” toward Cuba, reaffirming its unwavering commitment to the principles of “fraternity, solidarity, cooperation and complementarity”, despite mounting pressure from Washington for Caracas to isolate the Caribbean nation.
The Venezuelan government released a statement underscoring its support for the free exercise of self-determination and sovereignty of peoples, which it considers fundamental pillars of international relations.
It emphasized its adherence to the principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter and international law, highlighting the longstanding and evolving ties between Venezuela and Cuba.
The Venezuelan government stressed that relations between states should be governed by the principles of non-intervention, sovereign equality and self-determination and that “political and diplomatic dialogue” is the only viable path to “peacefully resolve disputes of any kind”.
This statement comes amidst heightened pressure from US President Donald Trump, who has urged Venezuela to isolate Cuba by cutting off the flow of fuel and money from the South American country to the island nation.
Meanwhile, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez demanded that the US stop illegally detaining Maduro and his wife.
“It has been eight days since the brutal kidnapping of the legitimate president of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro Moros, and his wife Cilia Flores,” said Rodriguez on X.
“We demand that the US government put an end to this illegal detention, respect his immunity, stop the judicial and media farce that this trial has turned into and ensure his life and care,” he added.
“We call on the international community to join this just demand, to preserve international law, as well as the life, justice and rights of President Maduro and his wife,” said the diplomat.