Adolfo Pérez Esquivel Condemns U.S. Military Threats Against Venezuela
Adolfo Pérez Esquivel, the renowned Argentinian activist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, has criticized the escalating military threats presented by Donald Trump’s administration against Venezuela, highlighting a persistent U.S. policy based on lies and violence that impacts both Latin America and the global community, reports 24brussels.
In a declaration made on August 26, 2025, Esquivel condemned Trump’s overt military intervention threats aimed at overthrowing Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, stressing that the United States continues to view Latin America as its “backyard.” This assertion is evidenced by longstanding U.S. policies, including a blockade against Cuba lasting over sixty years and the occupation of Guantanamo Bay.
Esquivel remarked, “Lying is the mother of all violence, and Donald Trump uses it against the people who oppose the policy and interests of the United States.” He pointed out the historical context of such tactics, recalling past U.S. interventions justified through deception, such as the Iraq War under George W. Bush, where false accusations against Saddam Hussein led to significant loss of life and resource exploitation without just cause.
The activist further articulated that similar tactics were employed during the U.S. military invasion of Panama aimed at capturing General Manuel Noriega, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,500 Panamanians.
Esquivel accused the current administration of reviving these methods by labeling Maduro a “narco-terrorist” while mobilizing military assets in the Caribbean, describing this as an open threat of military action.
Amid these tensions, he noted the Venezuelan populace’s preparation in light of what he perceives as the “complacent silence” of international bodies such as the UN and the Organization of American States (OAS), a stance he critically addresses.
In his statement, Esquivel asserted that Trump’s foreign policy undermines international law and breaches various UN human rights protocols. He highlighted how the U.S. uses its veto power in the Security Council to protect Israel from sanctions related to alleged human rights violations against Palestinians, and presses the International Criminal Court to dismiss genocide charges against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Moreover, he cautioned that the joint military activities of the U.S. and Israel in Iran pose serious risks to global security and the sovereignty of nations, emphasizing the plight of Palestinians in Gaza, who he claims are subjected to a continuous campaign of ethnic cleansing fueled by starvation and violence, all while Europe remains silent and supportive of Israel.
“This escalation of war and the double discourse in international politics reflect a historical pattern of interventions under false premises and a flagrant disregard for justice and human rights,” concluded Pérez Esquivel.
His statement serves as a stark warning regarding the ongoing U.S. foreign policy characterized by deception and violence, urging international institutions to take action to halt conflict and safeguard vulnerable populations, particularly in Latin America and the Middle East.
