Asian Leaders Voice Concern Over U.S. Military Operation in Venezuela
Singapore’s former prime minister Lee Hsien Loong has warned that the recent US military operation in Venezuela could have serious long-term consequences for the international order, adding to growing criticism from Asian nations.
Speaking at a regional outlook forum in Singapore on Thursday, Mr Lee said that internal political crises could not justify «unilateral military intervention» without proper authorisation. While the operation may have appeared to be a «spectacular military success,» he cautioned that it set a worrying precedent for smaller countries.
«From the point of view of a small country, if that’s the way the world works, we have a problem,» Mr Lee said, adding that he did not see the intervention as a positive development.
The U.S. operation, which resulted in the capture of Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro earlier this month, has drawn objections from Indonesia, Malaysia, India and China. Beijing described the action as a «bullying act» that undermines international law, while President Xi Jinping called on major powers to respect national sovereignty and the principles of the UN Charter.
Indonesia and Malaysia condemned the use of force, with Kuala Lumpur calling the operation a clear violation of international law and demanding the immediate release of Mr Maduro and his wife. India also expressed concern, urging all parties to prioritise the safety and well-being of the Venezuelan people.
The episode has emerged as a new flashpoint in US-China tensions, as both powers compete for influence in Latin America amid broader strains in the global geopolitical order.
Kursiv Uzbekistan also reports that U.S. President Donald Trump suggested that Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei may be preparing to flee the country as nationwide protests demanding regime change continue to escalate.
