Fire and smoke rise in Tel Aviv following the impact of an Iranian missile fired in retaliation to US-Israeli aggression on February 28, 2026. Photo: Chaim Goldberg/Flash90.
The difference between the responses to the U.S. and Israeli bombings of Iran by grassroots Chavista organizations and the Venezuelan government demonstrates the importance of people's movements, especially when a state is under U.S. threat.
Originally published in Orinoco Tribune.
The Foreign Affairs Ministry of Venezuela issued a statement Saturday condemning and deeply regretting that a “military route” was chosen through attacks against Iran, triggering a dangerous and unpredictable escalation. However, the communiqué surprisingly questioned Iran’s right to self-defense, drawing strong criticisms from the country’s Chavista base.
Venezuelan authorities described the military response by Iran against targets in various countries as “undue and condemnable,” questioning the right to self-defense, despite the fact that the Iranian response targeted US military assets throughout West Asia, not civilian installations.
Orinoco Tribune attempted to find the statement on Foreign Minister Yván Gil’s Instagram, Telegram, and Foreign accounts, but failed to do so as the previously uploaded posts appear to have been deleted. A digital screenshot of the document, however, was posted by Telesur English’s X account.
The ambivalent statement drew heavy criticism from Chavista grassroots, as well as experts and solidarity activists globally. The lack of criticism towards the United States and the Zionist entity as having both initiated the aggression by launching unprovoked military strikes towards Iran in the middle of diplomatic talks, and questioning Iran’s right to self-defense, sparked outrage among Chavistas.
“The reports and images of attacks on civilian facilities within Iranian territory, resulting in the deaths of young girls at a primary school, caused deep dismay,” the communiqué reads. This is in reference to the joint Israeli-US missile strike on an all-girls school in Minab, Iran, killing 165 students.
The document concludes by reiterating “unwavering commitment to peace, peaceful settlement of disputes, and respect for sovereignty and international law,” all the while urging the international community to return to negotiations.
According to analysts, the tone of the statement contradicts the strategic relationship built between Venezuela and Iran since the founding of the Bolivarian Revolution. Some suggest this may hint at Zionist influence within the Venezuelan government following the January 3 US military bombing of Venezuela and kidnapping of President Nicolás Maduro. Many Venezuelans, however, made a distinction between Chavismo and the current government, arguing that Chavismo represents a movement larger than the current leadership.
The unofficial translation of the now-deleted Venezuelan statement is published below:
The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela condemns and deeply regrets that, in the context of ongoing diplomatic efforts and negotiations, the military route was chosen through attacks against the Islamic Republic of Iran, triggering in recent hours a dangerous and unpredictable escalation of events, including undue and condemnable military reprisals by Iran against targets in various countries of the region. This situation, resulting from a disregard for principles of diplomacy, peaceful settlement of disputes, and the Charter of the United Nations, places the region and entire world in a state of enormous instability.
Reports and images of attacks on civilian facilities within Iranian territory, which have resulted in innocent civilian casualties, including girls and other underage students from a primary school in that country, are deeply distressing.
The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela reiterates its unwavering commitment to peace, the peaceful resolution of disputes, respect for sovereignty and international law, and makes an urgent appeal to the international community and the States involved to return to the path of negotiation and avoid a further escalation of the confrontation.
Caracas, February 28, 2026.
Alexis Vive Patriotic Force condemns US aggression against Iran
The Alexis Vive Patriotic Force, a united grassroots Chavista organization from the 23 de Enero neighborhood in Caracas, issued a statement on Saturday that better reflects the sentiment of the Chavista people regarding the imperialist-Zionist attack:
The Alexis Vive Patriotic Force denounces and repudiates with absolute firmness the military attack launched on February 28, 2026, by the US and “Israel” against the Islamic Republic of Iran. This brutal attack is not an isolated event, but the latest episode of the permanent offensive of imperialism against peoples who refuse to submit and who have defended their sovereignty against looting and colonialist domination.
During the morning hours of February 28, imperialist-Zionist forces unleashed direct bombings against Tehran and other Iranian regions, deliberately targeting civilian and military objectives in an attempt to break the will of a people who have been a reference of dignity and resistance against imperialism.
Far from representing a threat, Iran has set an example in its defense of sovereignty, international solidarity, and support for the Palestinians as seen by their historical struggle against colonialist Zionism.
This offensive is nothing more than another attempt to impose regime change, undermine Iran’s self-determination, and redraw the political map of West Asia for benefiting strategic interests of Washington and Tel Aviv. This genocidal logic has left millions of victims: Iraq, Libya, Syria, and Palestine are proof of this criminal pattern of imperialist-Zionist aggression.
Iran resists. The Iranian people and their armed forces have risen against open aggression, defending their territory, culture, history, and inalienable right to exist free from foreign intervention. This position stands as an example of anti-imperialist dignity against expansionism that seeks to forcefully impose its dominance.
Stay strong Iran!
Down with Zionism!
Down with imperialism!
For the sovereignty of the peoples!
Homeland or death!
We will prevail!
El Panal Commune, February 27 Communal City, Caracas
February 28, 2026
Latest updates
Early Saturday morning, Israeli and US forces launched a massive, unprovoked attack against Iran following weeks of Oman-mediated negotiations between the US and Iran in Geneva, Switzerland. The last session of negotiations took place on Thursday, February 26, with mediators reporting “significant progress” towards a nuclear agreement and lifting of selective sanctions.
US President Donald Trump issued a 10-day ultimatum on February 19, demanding Iran accept stricter conditions regarding its ballistic missile program. While the Iranian government showed leniency with uranium enrichment, it refused to dismantle its missile defense system.
The attacks, which the US administration described as a mission to destroy Iran’s missile and nuclear industries, struck the cities of Tehran, Isfahan, Karaj, and Minab. In Minab, a missile hit the Shajareye Tayabeh girls’ primary school, killing 165 students and injuring dozens more.
In response, Iran activated Operation True Promise 4, launching drones and ballistic missiles against “Israeli” territory and several US military bases within Bahrain, Jordan, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Iraq. Palestinian, Iraqi, and Yemeni resistance forces have announced offensive operations in support of Iran. There are also reports of Ansarallah’s closure of the Red Sea, and missile launches from Palestinian Resistance locations against US and Zionist interests.
Amid US-Zionist aggression and Iranian retaliation, massive demonstrations are taking place throughout Iran in support of the Iranian government, condemning the unprovoked attacks.
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