Colombia’s foreign ministry on Saturday distanced itself from its long-time ally, the United States, after US President Donald Trump threatened to use military force against Venezuela.
Colombia’s neighbor to the east has come under international criticism over increasingly violent repression of opposition to the country’s government, which recently took control over all branches of the state.
On Friday, Trump surprisingly mentioned the possibility of military intervention to solve the crisis, saying his country has “many options for Venezuela, including a possible military option if necessary.”
This, however, was quickly rejected by the same Latin American countries that have refused to recognize a recent vote that effectively sidelined Venezuela’s opposition-led national assembly and consolidated the power of president Nicolas Maduro.
We reject military measures and the use of force in the international system. All measures must be taken in respect of the sovereignty of Venezuela through peaceful solutions.
Colombia’s Foreign Ministry
Apart from Colombia, Trump’s remark was additionally rejected by regional trade block Mercosur and other Maduro-critical governments like that of Peru and Mexico.
Despite the current difficulties in achieving a peaceful and negotiated solution, we continue to believe that this is the right way to find long-term solutions for the Venezuelan people. In this context and in accordance with the principles and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations and international law, we have called upon the Secretary-General of the United Nations to use the mechanisms for peaceful settlement of disputes and good offices to create the conditions required for a negotiation that puts an end to the crisis of democratic rupture in Venezuela.
Colombia’s Foreign Ministry
Just days before Trump’s remark, Venezuela’s Defense Minister warned Colombia it will use military force if its natural sovereignty is violated.
Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos has persistently urged for a negotiated solution to solve the crisis in Venezuela where more than 100 people have died in protests and scores have been left without food or medical care.
Meanwhile, more than 150,000 Venezuelans and an unknown number of Colombian residents in the neighboring country have fled to Colombia to escape the dire situation in Venezuela.
