The FIDH and its member organizations in the Americas strongly condemn the attacks by the United States against the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and call on the international community to take action.
January 4, 2026 – The FIDH and its organizations in the Americas vehemently reject the military operations and bombings carried out by the United States on Venezuelan territory, which directly affect the civilian population and constitute an aggression against the sovereignty of peoples, regional peace, and respect for international law.
These acts of aggression disregard fundamental principles such as non-intervention in the internal affairs of states and the peaceful resolution of disputes, increasing regional tensions and worsening humanitarian crises and forced displacement. Furthermore, they violate the United Nations Charter, particularly the principles of sovereign equality of states, the prohibition of the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity and political independence of any state, and the principle of non-intervention.
Moreover, the erosion of the democratic system and serious human rights violations in Venezuela—widely denounced by the FIDH—do not authorize any state, including the United States, to intervene in violation of international law, as it is doing with its attacks in the Caribbean. This is especially concerning given that the U.S. President openly states that the attack is motivated by the recovery of oil that was "stolen" from them.
The organizations urge the international community, multilateral bodies, and regional states to reject any form of aggression against Venezuela, promote diplomatic solutions, and prioritize the protection of life, human rights, and regional peace. The actions of the United States set a dangerous precedent, not only in the Americas but for the entire world, requiring a strong response from the international community. The threatening statements by President Trump against the Presidents of Colombia, Mexico and Cuba are particularly alarming.
They reiterate that aggressive policies have severe humanitarian impacts, violate economic and social rights, and worsen the living conditions of millions, in clear contradiction to the international obligations of states.
Unilateral bombings and military operations are not legitimate tools for conflict resolution; historically, they have led to serious human rights violations, war crimes, and impunity. "The Latin American region cannot once again be treated as a theater of military operations serving external geopolitical interests," the signatory organizations state.
The organizations demand that the U.S. government immediately cease all military actions in Venezuelan and Latin American territory, fully respect international law and the sovereignty of peoples, and commit to genuine political and diplomatic solutions to conflicts.
As human rights organizations in the region have warned, the indiscriminate attacks by the United States "constitute an illegitimate and illegal use of force, as well as a flagrant violation of the principles of legality, necessity, proportionality, and precaution. These actions breach fundamental norms of international law, such as the obligation to guarantee life, personal integrity, due process, and judicial guarantees (...)"
They also call on international civil society to promote peaceful actions, rejecting interference in Venezuela and other regions of the world.
The solution to the deep Venezuelan crisis must be civil, democratic, and within the framework of a victim-centered program.
The international community must exert its influence to ensure that this delicate moment translates into concrete, non-violent steps toward democratic transition in Venezuela.
The FIDH and its organizations in the Americas reaffirm their commitment to defending life, regional peace, sovereignty, and human rights, and their firm opposition to all forms of war, military intervention, and state violence.
Signed:
Comité de Acción Jurídica - CAJ - Argentina
Centro de Estudios Legales y Sociales (CELS) - Argentina
Movimento Nacional de Direitos Humanos - MNDH - Brasil
Justica Global - Brasil
Corporación de promoción y Defensa de los Derechos del Pueblo, CODEPU- Chile
Observatorio Ciudadano - Chile
Colectivo de Abogados y abogadas “Jose Alvear Restrepo” - Colombia
Instituto Latinoamericano para una Sociedad y un Derecho Alternativos, ILSA - Colombia
Organización Femenina Popular - OFP - Colombia
Comité Permanente de Derechos Humanos - CPDH - Colombia
Acción Ecológica - Ecuador
Comisión de Derechos Humanos de El Salvador (CDHES)
Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR) - United States
Center for Justice and Accountability (CJA) - United States
Solidarite Fanm Ayisyèn - SOFA - Haiti
Centro de Investigación y Promoción de los Derechos Humanos CIPRODEH - Honduras
Comisión Mexicana de Defensa y Promoción de Derechos Humanos (CMDPDH) - México
IDHEAS, Litigio Estratégico en Derechos Humanos A.C. México
Liga Mexicana por la Defensa de los Derechos Humanos - Limeddh - México
Centro Nicaragüense de Derechos Humanos - CENIDH - Nicaragua
Asociación Pro derechos Humanos Aprodeh - Perú
Centro de Políticas Públicas y Derechos Humanos (Perú EQUIDAD)
Centro de Derechos y Desarrollo - CEDAL - Perú
Comisión Nacional de los Derechos Humanos de República Dominicana (CNDHRD)
Instituto de Abogados para la protección del Medio Ambiente - INSAPROMA - República Dominicana
Programa Venezolano de Educación Acción en Derechos Humanos (Provea) - Venezuela
