Latin American leaders condemn U.S. airstrikes on Iran, citing violation of international law

A chorus of condemnation emerged from Latin America on Sunday as leaders from Chile, Cuba, Venezuela, Colombia, and Bolivia denounced the United States for its recent airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities.

The nations uniformly criticized the move as a violation of international law and a grave threat to global peace.

The diplomatic backlash came after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that American forces had conducted "very successful" strikes, an action that has significantly escalated an already volatile regional conflict.

Chilean President Gabriel Boric declared on the social media platform X that attacking nuclear sites is prohibited under international law. "Chile condemns this attack carried out by the U.S.," Boric stated. "We will always defend respect for international humanitarian law."

Echoing the sentiment, Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel strongly condemned what he termed a "dangerous escalation," warning that "such aggression constitutes a serious violation of the UN Charter and international law, pushing humanity toward an irreversible crisis."

In a formal statement, Venezuela’s Foreign Ministry labeled the U.S. attack "a clear and illegal violation" of the UN Charter and state sovereignty. "The bombing of nuclear facilities—posing severe risks to human life and environmental balance in the region—is an extremely irresponsible escalation that threatens global stability," the ministry said.

Colombia’s Foreign Ministry expressed "deep concern" and rejected the unilateral use of force. President Gustavo Petro, speaking in his capacity as the head of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), made a direct appeal to Washington. "The Trump administration must not get involved in a war with Iran," Petro said. "On the contrary, it should take responsibility for preventing war."

Bolivian President Luis Arce also issued a strong condemnation, calling the U.S. attacks "arbitrary" and a clear violation of the "fundamental principles of international law and the UN Charter."

The strikes have intensified a conflict that began on June 13 with Israeli airstrikes on Iranian military and nuclear sites, which prompted retaliatory missile attacks from Tehran. According to health officials, the hostilities have resulted in at least 430 deaths in Iran and 25 in Israel, with thousands more wounded on both sides. In response to the U.S. action, Iran has called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council.

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