By René Wadlow

On October 15, 2025, the Foreign Ministers of the Non-Aligned Movement issued a statement of solidarity with Venezuela at their meeting in Uganda, the current chair of the Non-Aligned Movement. Voices of alarm, especially that of the Venezuelan External Relations Minister Yvan Gil, have also been heard at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly currently in session in New York.

Tensions between the United States (U.S.) administration led by Donald Trump and the Venezuelan government led by Nicolas Maduro have been growing. U.S. war ships have moved closer to the coast of Venezuela where they have sunk small speed boats suspected of transporting drugs. 27 people on these small speed boats have been killed despite growing questions over the legality of striking these boats under international law. Under the international rules that govern armed conflict, you cannot target civilians unless they are actually engaged in hostilities against you.

In addition to the conflict on the Caribbean, President Trump publicly stated that the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has been authorized to carry out covert operations within Venezuela. As the CIA operates within many countries without public authorization, the publicity concerning CIA efforts within Venezuela increases the tensions. The awarding of the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize to Ms. Maria Corina Machado, a 58-year-old Venezuelan opposition leader living in Venezuela but in hiding, has drawn wide public attention to Venezuela.

The Venezuelan government which was already a repressive regime as concerns human rights, on September 30, 2025 proclaimed what in practice is a “state of emergency” for the first time, giving the government very broad powers to act. There is increasing discussion on whether the U.S. government is planning for regime change in Venezuela.

The Association of World Citizens believes that urgent peacebuilding measures must be undertaken to reduce tensions between the two countries so that peaceful relations are restored. There can be Track Two, informal discussions organized by Nongovernmental Organizations to see on what issues there can be useful negotiations. There may be possibilities for mediation on the part of Latin American governments so that peaceful and stable socioeconomic structures can be developed.

Time for positive action is now before greater tensions develop.

Prof. René Wadlow is President of the Association of World Citizens.