In a forceful address to the United Nations, Chile’s President Gabriel Boric issued a stark warning regarding recent U.S. military action in Venezuela, labeling it an “extremely dangerous precedent” that jeopardizes regional and global stability. The statement framed the intervention as a fundamental challenge to international order, urging immediate diplomatic action to de-escalate the situation.
A Warning Against Normalizing Intervention
President Boric’s central argument was that the violation of a nation’s sovereignty under any pretext risks normalizing unilateral military interventions. He explicitly connected the action in Venezuela to a potential threat against all states, regardless of their political systems. “Today it’s Venezuela, tomorrow it could be anyone else,” Boric stated, capturing the core of his warning. He emphasized that this stance was not an endorsement of the Venezuelan government, but a defense of foundational international principles.
Chile’s Call for Peaceful Resolution and Diplomatic Outreach
The Chilean government condemned the military actions and called for an immediate return to a political and peaceful framework in line with International Law. Boric reaffirmed Chile’s commitment to core tenets including the prohibition of the use of force, non-intervention, and the peaceful settlement of disputes. He argued that the crisis in Venezuela “must be resolved through dialogue and the support of multilateralism, and not through violence or foreign interference.”
In response to the escalating situation, Santiago confirmed it had initiated diplomatic outreach with regional and global leaders. The objective of this flurry of diplomacy is to prevent further escalation, protect civilians, and rally support for a solution grounded in established legal norms.
Sovereignty as a Non-Negotiable Principle
The Chilean President framed the issue as one of legitimacy and precedent. He questioned who holds the right to decide a nation’s future, warning that justifications for intervention can easily shift. “Today it is Venezuela, under the excuse of narcoterrorism and the declared intention of controlling its resources; tomorrow it could be any other, with any other excuse,” Boric cautioned in his UN address, a clip of which was shared publicly.
He concluded with an unequivocal defense of the current world order’s bedrock, stating, “Sovereignty and International Law are not optional: they are the foundation of all legitimate order.” For Chile, the response to the Venezuelan crisis represents a test of the international community’s commitment to these universal principles.
