International labor movement denounces U.S. strikes and capture of President Maduro as violation of UN Charter and regional Zone of Peace
Editor’s note: The following statement was issued January 3, 2026, by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and the Trade Union Confederation of the Americas (TUCA) in response to U.S. military strikes on Venezuela and the kidnapping of President Nicolás Maduro.
The ITUC represents 191 million workers in 169 countries and territories through 340 national affiliates, making it the world’s largest trade union federation. TUCA is the ITUC’s regional organization for the Americas, representing 55 million workers across the hemisphere through 48 affiliated organizations in 21 countries.
The statement references the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) proclamation declaring Latin America and the Caribbean a “Zone of Peace,” signed by 33 heads of state in Havana, Cuba, on January 29, 2014. That historic declaration committed member nations to resolve disputes through peaceful means, reject foreign intervention in internal affairs, respect each state’s right to choose its own political and economic system, and promote nuclear disarmament. The proclamation explicitly called on “all Member States of the International Community to fully respect this Declaration in their relations with CELAC Member States.”
The Trump administration’s military operation represents the most significant U.S. intervention in Latin America since the 1989 invasion of Panama, directly violating both the CELAC Zone of Peace proclamation and the UN Charter’s prohibition on the use of force against sovereign nations.
Statement from the International Trade Union Confederation and Trade Union Confederation of the Americas
The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and the Trade Union Confederation of the Americas (TUCA) express their absolute and unequivocal rejection of the military operation carried out today by the government of the United States of America on the territory of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
Given the gravity of the events, which include the bombing of facilities in Caracas and confirmation by the U.S. government of the capture and kidnapping of President Nicolás Maduro, the international trade union movement declares:
1. Condemnation of military intervention: We denounce this action as a flagrant violation of the Charter of the United Nations and the fundamental principles of international law. The use of military force and the incursion into the territory of a sovereign nation constitute an unacceptable act of war that jeopardizes the peace and stability of the entire region.
2. Defense of sovereignty and self-determination: In line with our historic position of defending the autonomy of peoples and supporting the statements issued by the governments of the region demanding unrestricted respect for Venezuelan sovereignty, we reject any attempt at regime change by force or through foreign interference. The fate of Venezuela must be decided exclusively by the Venezuelan people through democratic and peaceful mechanisms, without imperial tutelage.
3. Demand for human guarantees: We join the immediate international demand for proof of life, respect for physical integrity, and the release of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, as well as any other citizens detained in this illegal operation. Their current status must be made transparent to the international community without delay.
4. Call for peace and dialogue: We agree with the position expressed by the governments of Brazil, Mexico, and other countries in condemning violence and urging a return to diplomatic channels. The region must remain a zone of peace; we will not allow Latin America to be dragged into a military conflict for geopolitical interests that do not represent our peoples.
“These acts in no way defend democracy; they are clear acts of aggression as part of a militarized foreign policy agenda motivated by unilateral economic interests,” said ITUC General Secretary Luc Triangle. “Threats of kidnapping and the misuse of the courts to attack a sovereign government undermine the international rule of law and set a precedent of imperial coercion that jeopardizes peace everywhere.”
“We, the trade union movement of the Americas, condemn the military aggression and kidnapping of President Maduro and his partner Cilia Flores, a violation of the sovereignty and integrity of the Venezuelan people and of all Latin America and the Caribbean, declared a Zone of Peace by Community of Latin American and Caribbean States since 2014,” said Rafael Freire, TUCA General Secretary. “We are activating mechanisms of international solidarity with the people and workers of Venezuela. We defend Venezuela and all of Latin America as a territory of peace. We do not accept invasion and violence against our peoples and territories. The trade union movement, as always, is on the front line of defending sovereignty and self-determination, democracy and human rights.”
The ITUC and the TUCA remain mobilized against imperialist, military or economic interference by one country in another, against wars, and in firm defense of peace, democracy and multilateralism.
For the sovereignty, peace and self-determination of peoples.
Join the Struggle-La Lucha Telegram channel