International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola expresses deep concern over Washington’s military buildup in the Caribbean and reaffirms Pretoria’s solidarity with Caracas, highlighting a commitment to peaceful conflict resolution and state sovereignty.

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South Africa has publicly declared its unwavering support for Venezuela amidst escalating tensions with the United States, expressing profound concern over Washington’s increasing military presence in the Caribbean.

This Friday November 21, South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, emphasized Pretoria’s solidarity with Caracas, reaffirming the two nations’ strong ties and advocating for a peaceful, diplomatic resolution to the conflict.

The minister’s statement underscores South Africa’s commitment to international law and the inalienable sovereignty of states, a stance that has prompted high-level diplomatic engagements between Pretoria and Caracas.

Pretoria’s Stance on Regional Stability

Minister Lamola conveyed South Africa’s position in a written response to a parliamentary question posed by EFF Member of Parliament Carl Niehaus.

He articulated Pretoria’s deep apprehension regarding the heightened tensions between the United States and Venezuela, a nation South Africa regards as a steadfast ally and friend.

Lamola stated that these developments constitute “a clear threat to the peace, stability, and security of the Latin American and Caribbean region.

This firm declaration of support is poised to further strain relations between South Africa and the United States, particularly after Washington’s refusal to participate in the recent G20 summit hosted by Pretoria, signaling a divergence in geopolitical perspectives.

US Escalation and Military Presence

The Trump administration has significantly increased its military footprint in the Caribbean, raising alarms about potential aggressive actions against Venezuela.

Reports indicate that the US has contemplated military interventions within Venezuela’s borders. Publicly, the United States has carried out 21 documented attacks on vessels in the region, asserting these ships were involved in drug trafficking.

"The United States has always been almost obsessed with attacking any progressive government in Latin America," the member of the British Parliament, Jeremy Corbyn, said in the context of the new U.S. threats against Venezuela, Colombia, and the Caribbean. pic.twitter.com/9zmp8YJaBX

— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) November 21, 2025

These operations have tragically resulted in the deaths of 83 individuals.

Recent actions include the deployment of the largest and most technologically advanced US aircraft carrier to the Caribbean Sea, a move that has prompted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro to place his nation’s armed forces on high alert.

The New York Times reported that President Trump and his senior advisors have focused on ousting Maduro—whom Trump describes as the leader of a drug-trafficking terrorist organization—and have openly discussed military options inside Venezuela.

The report further noted that the US currently maintains 15,000 soldiers deployed in the region, exacerbating an already volatile situation.

Diplomatic Efforts and International Solidarity

In light of these developments, the foreign ministries of South Africa and Venezuela have engaged in high-level diplomatic contacts.

During these discussions, South Africa, as affirmed by Lamola, has “reaffirmed the ties of solidarity and friendship between the two countries and reiterated the commitment to the peaceful resolution of conflicts, respect for international law and the inalienable sovereignty of states.

Pretoria has also called for the exhaustive use of all available diplomatic channels in pursuit of regional peace, stability, and security.

This plea is particularly significant given that the Latin American and Caribbean region has been officially designated a nuclear-free zone and a zone of peace by the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC).

Furthermore, in October, the foreign ministers of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) issued a special declaration addressing the threats against Venezuela, emphasizing their collective commitment to state sovereignty, territorial integrity, non-interference in internal and external affairs of states, and the peaceful settlement of disputes.

The NAM ministers collectively expressed unwavering solidarity with the people and government of Venezuela in their defense against any external acts of aggression.

They reaffirmed their commitment to the principles of non-interference in the internal affairs of States and respect for sovereignty, as enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and the Bandung Principles.

The ministers reiterated their call for dialogue and peaceful resolution of differences, emphasizing the importance of upholding international law and promoting multilateralism in addressing global challenges.

They also voiced their concern over the imposition of unilateral coercive measures against Venezuela, which they deemed to be in violation of international law and detrimental to the well-being of the Venezuelan people.

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