Portrait of Nicolás Maduro
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Nicolás Maduro on Gaza

Condemns Israeli actions (strong)

TL;DR

Nicolás Maduro vehemently condemns Israel's actions in Gaza, equating them to genocide and supporting the Palestinian struggle for liberation.

Key Points

  • The Venezuelan government condemned the hijacking of the Madleen aid vessel in June 2025 as piracy and an assault on international solidarity.

  • He demanded an emergency meeting of the UN Human Rights Council to address what the government described as Israel's systematic human rights violations in Gaza.

  • Venezuela officially recognized Palestine and established diplomatic relations with the Palestinian Authority on 27 April 2009, a move upheld under his leadership.

Summary

Nicolás Maduro has consistently expressed unwavering condemnation of Israeli military actions against the Palestinian people in Gaza, framing them as a systematic extermination and genocide. The government of Venezuela has repeatedly voiced strong support for Palestine’s right to resist occupation and has been critical of what it perceives as the complicit silence of Western powers. As evidence of this stance, Caracas condemned the Israeli hijacking of a humanitarian aid vessel, the Madleen, in international waters, labeling the act as piracy and an assault on international solidarity.

This position is consistent with the historical trajectory of Venezuela's foreign policy regarding Palestine, which predates his presidency, though his administration has intensified it. He demanded an emergency session of the UN Human Rights Council to address systematic human rights violations in the region. Furthermore, Caracas endorsed the genocide case brought by South Africa against Israel at the International Court of Justice. Under his predecessor, diplomatic ties were severed with Israel in 2009 following a Gaza conflict, and Maduro has continued this anti-occupation support.

Frequently Asked Questions

Nicolás Maduro holds a strong position of condemnation against Israel's military actions in Gaza, frequently labeling them as genocide and criminal aggression. He consistently expresses unwavering support for the Palestinian people and their struggle for national sovereignty and dignity. The Venezuelan government also criticizes the role of Western powers in the conflict.

The Venezuelan government strongly condemned Israel's blockade of Gaza, stating that preventing humanitarian aid from entering violates international law. This was highlighted when Caracas denounced the seizure of the Madleen aid ship, calling it part of Israel's systematic extermination of Palestinians. He views such actions as morally indefensible when comparing the occupying state to the occupied people.

Venezuela's support for Palestine is long-standing, with diplomatic ties severed with Israel in 2009 under his predecessor, a decision maintained by Maduro. He has continued to support the Palestinian cause at the United Nations, including voting in favor of observer status for Palestine in 2012. His administration has shown an unwavering defense of Palestinian resistance.