How the area is reacting to U.S. strikes on Venezuela : NPR

[ad_1] NPR worldwide correspondent Eyder Peralta joins NPR's Daniel Estrin to debate response from Venezuela and different international locations within the area.

DANIEL ESTRIN, HOST:

The assault on Venezuela is a seismic occasion within the hemisphere. The final time one thing like this occurred was in 1989, when america invaded Panama to depose the nation's army chief, Manuel Noriega. NPR's Eyder Peralta is following all of this from his base in Mexico Metropolis. He joins us now. Good morning, Eyder.

EYDER PERALTA, BYLINE: Hey. Good morning, Daniel.

ESTRIN: So let's begin with what you've heard from Caracas and the federal government of Venezuela.

PERALTA: Yeah. So Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez known as in to state TV. And she or he mentioned authorities and army officers have been killed in U.S. strikes throughout Venezuela, and he or she mentioned that they do not know the whereabouts of President Nicolas Maduro. As we have been listening to, the U.S. says President Maduro is in custody. Rodriguez demanded that the U.S. present a proof of life. Early this morning, Venezuela's inside minister, Diosdado Cabello, appeared on state TV flanked by safety forces. He known as for calm. He mentioned, belief in your authorities. We're mobilized.

ESTRIN: So let's discuss response throughout the area - first in Colombia, which shares a border with Venezuela. What's the phrase there?

PERALTA: So Colombian President Gustavo Petro says he has deployed safety forces alongside the border in case, he mentioned, there's a large inflow of refugees. Colombia is dwelling to the biggest Venezuelan diaspora. Petro additionally revealed an inventory of what he mentioned have been confirmed strikes in Venezuela. He mentioned the army airbase in the course of Caracas was bombed, in addition to a number of different army installations, and he mentioned the legislative constructing in Caracas was additionally hit. Petro went on to sentence what he mentioned was a unilateral army motion by the U.S. Petro known as for a de-escalation of the state of affairs. He known as this an aggression in opposition to the sovereignty of Venezuela and Latin America.

We heard related statements of condemnation from Chile, and Mexico's overseas ministry issued a strongly worded assertion of condemnation. Mexico is, in fact, america' greatest buying and selling associate, however they are saying this assault constitutes a transparent violation of the U.N. Constitution. The assertion went on to say that Mexico requires an finish to, quote, "any act of aggression in opposition to" the federal government and other people of Venezuela.

ESTRIN: What in regards to the repercussions past Venezuela, notably Cuba and Nicaragua?

PERALTA: Yeah. I imply, these are Venezuela's closest allies within the Americas, and each international locations have traditionally acquired a variety of assist from Venezuela. I used to be simply in Cuba, and I felt an air of fear from each the federal government and the people who any motion in opposition to Venezuela would have repercussions in Cuba. Officers there instructed me that they'd stand by Venezuela however that their response could be calibrated relying on what the U.S. did.

Early this morning, Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel known as the U.S. motion an act of state terrorism in opposition to Venezuela, they usually known as for an pressing response by the worldwide neighborhood. Proper now, Cuba is going through its hardest financial disaster for the reason that fall of the Soviet Union. The federal government is actually having a tricky time conserving the lights on, partly as a result of the U.S. has stiffened its sanctions. Now, if Venezuelan oil stops coming into the nation, you'll be able to anticipate Cuba to plunge deeper into disaster. And, in fact, the massive query is whether or not this authorities, which has been in energy since 1959, can stick it out. It is also value noting that Russia, an in depth ally of Venezuela and Cuba, has additionally condemned the assaults. The overseas ministry mentioned it, quote, reaffirms its "solidarity with the Venezuelan folks."

ESTRIN: Wow, repercussions throughout the hemisphere. Are we anticipating something from the United Nations?

PERALTA: Venezuela has known as for a gathering of the Safety Council. So inevitably, sure, there can be some motion and many questions on the legality of this U.S. operation.

ESTRIN: NPR's Eyder Peralta, reporting from his base in Mexico Metropolis. Thanks, Eyder.

PERALTA: Thanks, Daniel.

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