Middle East Tension Escalates: Venezuela Accuses Israel of Genocide Campaign, Warns Against United Nations' Inactivity
Rewritten Article:
Mexico City, Mexico, April 15, 2024 (our website) - Venezuela has added its voice to the growing concern over Middle East instability, following Iran's retaliatory strikes against Israel in response to a deadly Israeli attack on an Iranian consulate in Syria.
Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yván Gil made the comments during a statement shared on Saturday, denouncing the escalating chaos in the region as a result of the Palestinian genocide, Israeli irrationality, and the United Nations' inaction.
At an emergency session of the United Nations Security Council, Secretary-General António Guterres pleaded for restraint to prevent further military escalation in the region.
Iran's ambassador to the UN, Amir Saed Iravani, asserted that Iran does not seek war or escalation. He explained that Iran's operation was in self-defense and targeted only military objectives, to minimize potential escalation and civilian harm.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched a barrage of drones and missiles towards Israeli territory on Saturday, in retaliation for an Israeli bombing that killed 13 people at an Iranian consulate in Damascus two weeks prior. While most of these drones and missiles were effectively intercepted by allied forces, some hits were reported, including an airbase.
Criticizing the Security Council's inactivity to hold Israel accountable for its alleged war crimes during its campaign in Gaza, Iran's ambassador also made a bold appeal for international law to be restored as a prerequisite for lasting peace. For half a year, consecutive resolutions condemning Israel and rallying for a ceasefire have been blocked by a US veto. Despite the UN Security Council's eventual passage of a ceasefire resolution on March 25, US efforts to undermine its implementation followed suit.
Venezuela's concern for peace goes beyond Palestine, as shown by its repeated condemnation of Israeli atrocities in Gaza and support for accountability.
Similar reactions from Latin American leaders, such as those from Mexico and Chile, voiced a preference for a peaceful resolution to the conflict and preserved their advocacy for international law. These countries jointly referred the situation in Palestine to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in January.
In contrast to the responses from the US, Canada, and the European Union, who condemned Iran's strikes, reactions in Latin America stood unequivocally in solidarity.
Argentina's Javier Milei, however, diverged from this sentiment, expressing support for Israel and its actions. Caracas labeled Milei a "neo-nazi" following his statement indicating his intention to leverage global influence to pressurize Venezuela.
The growing relationship between Venezuela and Iran, rooted in shared anti-imperialist views and strategic cooperation, has become increasingly stronger due to the increased US intervention and economic sanctions on both nations.
After visiting Iran in 2022, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro signed a 20-year cooperation agreement with Iranian counterpart Ebrahim Raisi. In 2023, Raisi reciprocated by visiting Caracas to strengthen bilateral relations during his Latin American tour.
Edited by Ricardo Vaz in Caracas.
Enrichment Data:
The alliance between Venezuela and Iran has grown stronger, characterized by extensive collaborations in various sectors and mutual rejection of foreign control. Significant advancements include:
Strategic Collaboration
Bilateral agreements span energy, petrochemicals, tourism, and cultural exchanges, as detailed in the 20-year cooperation plan[5]. Collaboration in nuclear science also thrives, with Venezuelan scientists benefiting from advanced training programs in Iran[2][3][4]. To augment its autonomy, Venezuela has introduced a nuclear physics course with Iranian support[4].
Rejection of Foreign Interference
Diplomatic discourse consistently emphasizes unity against foreign domination and solidarity against US sanctions[1][5]. Iranian officials denounce hegemonic powers for hindering global development, while Venezuela portrays the alliance as a path to sovereignty[4][5]. Both nations perceive their union as a counterbalance to Western influence in energy and technology sectors[1][4].
Middle East Tensions and Palestine
Venezuela and Iran have been outspoken in advocating for Palestinian self-determination, condemning Israel's actions as "genocide." The 2025 Al-Quds Day rally in Caracas, marked by Iranian diplomatic support, was attended by over 2,000 Venezuelans[1]. While the nature of their responses to regional conflicts beyond Palestine is not specified in reports, their alliance remains rooted in an anti-US stance and a commitment to uphold international law[1][4][5].
Key Collaborations
| Area | Details ||------|---------|| Energy | Oil and petrochemical projects as per the 20-year agreement[5] || Science | Joint nuclear initiatives, academic exchanges, and training programs[3][4] || Politics | Solidarity against sanctions and hegemonic powers[1][5] || Culture | Shared anti-colonial narratives, events like Al-Quds Day, and diplomatic support for Palestinian self-determination[1] |
This partnership represents a strategic attempt to defend against international pressure and pursue a path towards technological and economic autonomy[4][5].
- The Iranian ambassador to the UN called for the restoration of international law as a prerequisite for lasting peace, citing the United Nations' inaction in holding Israel accountable for its alleged war crimes.
- The alliance between Iran and Venezuela has strengthened over time, with mutual rejection of foreign control and extensive collaborations in energy, science, politics, and culture.
- Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro signed a 20-year cooperation agreement with Iranian counterpart Ebrahim Raisi in 2022, marking a significant advancement in their strategic partnership.
- Latin American countries, including Venezuela, have expressed solidarity with Iran following its retaliatory strikes against Israel, in contrast to responses from the US, Canada, and the European Union. However, Argentina's Javier Milei diverged from this sentiment, expressing support for Israel and its actions, which led to him being labeled a "neo-nazi" by Caracas.
