Adolfo Pérez Esquivel Condemns US Threats Against Venezuela
Renowned Argentinian activist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Adolfo Pérez Esquivel has issued a stark warning regarding the intensifying military actions by the US government under Donald Trump against Venezuela, condemning a continuation of foreign policy built on deception and violence that permeates Latin America and beyond, reports 24brussels.
In a declaration made on August 26, 2025, Esquivel criticized Trump’s overt threats of military intervention aimed at overthrowing Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, suggesting that this reflects the US view of Latin America as its “backyard.” He further noted the long-standing economic blockade against Cuba, which has persisted for over sixty years, and the ongoing occupation of Guantanamo Bay, as clear examples of oppressive US policies in the region.
The Nobel laureate pointedly 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 emphasized the historical precedent of such tactics, recalling how similar fabrications were employed to justify military action in Iraq during the George W. Bush administration, where false claims about weapons of mass destruction led to widespread devastation and loss of life.
Esquivel highlighted that the use of fabricated narratives to initiate military action is a recurring theme, evident in the 1989 invasion of Panama, intended to capture General Manuel Noriega, which resulted in the deaths of approximately fifteen hundred Panamanians.
Turning his focus to the current US administration, Esquivel criticized Trump for adopting “the same old methods and arguments,” referring to Maduro as a “narco-terrorist” while mobilizing significant military resources in the Caribbean as a pointed threat of intervention. He expressed concern over the Venezuelan population’s response, remarking on their preparation amid a “complacent silence” from the United Nations, the Organization of American States, and various governments worldwide.
Esquivel further accused Trump’s administration of undermining international law, with violations of UN human rights protocols and declarations. He condemned the selective use of power within the Security Council, citing instances where the US has blocked sanctions against Israel amid allegations of genocide against the Palestinian people, and exerted influence on the International Criminal Court to dismiss genocide charges against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The activist lamented escalating tensions exacerbated by joint US and Israeli military strikes on Iranian targets, warning of the implications for global security and national sovereignty.
Pérez Esquivel also addressed the dire humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, where Palestinians are subject to systemic violence and deprivation, resulting in what he described as “ethnic cleansing,” all occurring under Europe’s “complicit silence” and continued backing of the Israeli government.
“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, urging immediate action from international institutions to prevent further conflict and safeguard affected populations, particularly in Latin America and the Middle East.
His statements underline the persistent nature of US foreign policy, driven by deception and coercion, and the pressing need for accountability from the global community.
