In a statement, the organization denounced the attack as a violation of all norms of international law, the Charter of the United Nations, and the declaration of Latin America and the Caribbean as a zone of peace.

It warned that this jeopardizes the security of the region and sets a dangerous precedent with the kidnapping of a legitimate president (Nicolas Maduro), by “imposing the extraterritorial application of U.S. criminal law, which violates the sovereignty of any state.”

The Association pointed out that Washington’s true intention is to seize Venezuela’s natural resources.

It demanded the immediate release of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. Unwavering respect for the sovereignty, independence, and self-determination of the Venezuelan people, and the cessation of all forms of aggression and threats against Venezuela and any other country in the region.

It also called on the international community to demonstrate “permanent and active solidarity until Maduro’s return, denounce the imperialist and neo-fascist intentions of Trump and (Secretary of State) Marco Rubio, and unite in defense of our peoples.”

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