Latin American leaders condemn Russia’s attack on Ukraine

By Laura Gamba​​​​​​​

BOGOTA, Colombia (AA) - Latin American leaders condemned Russia’s attack on Ukraine on Thursday, hours after Moscow began its assault.

"These events threaten the sovereignty of Ukraine and put the lives of thousands of people at risk," Colombian President Ivan Duque wrote on Twitter. "We reject war and we join the voices that are calling for the immediate withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine.”

Mexico's President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador also condemned Russia’s actions and called for peace.

“We will continue to promote dialogue, the non-use of force, and no invasion. We are not in favor of any war,” Lopez Obrador said at a daily news conference. “Mexico is a country that has always been in favor of peace.”

Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard also “rejected the use of force,” and “reiterated its call for a political solution to the conflict in Ukraine.”

“We work with other countries to seek dialogue,” he said.

Argentina urged Russia to "cease military actions" and Peru rejected the use of force.

President-elect Gabriel Boric posted on Twitter that Chile “condemns the invasion of Ukraine, the violation of its sovereignty and the illegitimate use of force."

"Our solidarity will be with the victims and our humble efforts for peace,” he said.

The Brazilian government had not made public statements until Vice President Hamilton Mourao condemned the operation and urged a diplomatic solution. He said the West may need to use force.

President Jair Bolsonaro recently met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow.

Such statements contrast with the support Russia has received from other countries including Venezuela, Cuba and Nicaragua, which have close economic ties with Moscow and have applauded Putin's move.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro officially backed Russia.

“Venezuela announces its full support to President Vladimir Putin in the defense of Russia's peace,” Maduro said Wednesday during a meeting with ministers that was broadcast on television. "Venezuela is with Putin, with Russia, with the brave and just causes of the world, and we are going to strengthen our alliance more and more," he said.

Cuba criticized the US for imposing “the progressive expansion of NATO towards the borders of the Russian Federation.”

“The U.S. government has for weeks been threatening Russia and manipulating the international community about the dangers of an ‘imminent massive invasion’ of Ukraine,” the Cuban Foreign Ministry said Wednesday. “It has supplied weapons and military technology, deployed troops in several countries in the region, applied unilateral and unjust sanctions, and threatened other reprisals. In parallel, it unleashed an anti-Russian propaganda campaign.”

Russia launched a military intervention Thursday in Ukraine with explosions occurring in several cities, including Kyiv, and Russian convoys reportedly entering from Belarus.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia carried out missile strikes on Ukraine's infrastructure.

A Pentagon official confirmed Russia launched more than 100 missiles into Ukraine, used 75 Russian fighter jets and targeted 10 airfields.

Zelensky said Russian forces are trying to seize the area around Chernobyl, where Ukrainian troops are fighting the Russian army.