Gambiaj.com – (CARACAS, Venezulela) – Venezuela has revealed that The Gambia was among the African countries directly contacted by Caracas in the immediate aftermath of the U.S. military operation that led to strikes on Caracas and the arrest of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife.
Venezuela’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Iván Gil, disclosed that he held a phone conversation with his Gambian counterpart as part of an intensive diplomatic outreach to Africa, aimed at rallying support against what Caracas describes as a grave violation of international law and national sovereignty.
According to the Venezuelan government, The Gambia joined several African states in reaffirming their attachment to the United Nations Charter and their rejection of foreign interference in the internal affairs of sovereign nations.
The revelations come as reactions continue to pour in worldwide following the controversial U.S. action. UN Secretary-General António Guterres has warned that the operation sets a “dangerous precedent” and said international law was not respected, while the European Union has called for respect for international law and reiterated its support for a democratic and peaceful transition in Venezuela.
Lobbying Africa at the UN Security Council
Caracas says its engagement with Africa has gone beyond bilateral calls. Foreign Minister Gil stated that Venezuela has actively lobbied African countries, including those currently represented at the UN Security Council, to push for an international response and possible condemnation of the January 3 attacks.
Liberia, a non-permanent member of the Security Council, is cited by Venezuela as one of the countries that has pledged to seek action and raise the issue formally at the UN.
In addition to The Gambia, Caracas says it has exchanged with the foreign ministers of Chad, Angola and Niger, all of whom, according to the Venezuelan account, underscored the primacy of the UN Charter and opposition to external military intervention.
From a Gambian diplomatic perspective, the disclosure places Banjul within a broader African consensus that stresses multilateralism, respect for sovereignty, and the peaceful resolution of disputes, principles that The Gambia has consistently upheld in international forums.
Africa’s Mixed but Principled Reactions
At the continental level, the African Union has issued a carefully worded statement, stopping short of directly condemning the United States but firmly reiterating its commitment to international law, state sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the right of peoples to self-determination.
The AU also emphasized dialogue and restraint, urging all parties to pursue peaceful solutions.
In West Africa, ECOWAS acknowledged the right of states to combat international crimes such as terrorism and drug trafficking, arguments cited by President Donald Trump to justify the operation, but reminded the international community of its obligation to respect sovereignty and territorial integrity under the UN Charter. The regional bloc echoed the AU’s call for an inclusive political dialogue among Venezuelans.
Some African states have been far more explicit. South Africa described the U.S. action as a “manifest violation” of the UN Charter, warning that unilateral military interventions only deepen instability and undermine the international order. Namibia also expressed “great shock,” citing a shared anti-colonial history with Venezuela and reaffirming its solidarity with Caracas.
Ghana condemned the unilateral use of force and sharply criticized President Trump’s statements suggesting U.S. control over Venezuela and its oil during a transition period, calling such rhetoric colonial and imperial in nature.
Accra called for immediate de-escalation and the release of President Maduro and his wife.
Chad, meanwhile, confirmed that its foreign minister spoke with his Venezuelan counterpart and reaffirmed N’Djamena’s attachment to international law and to Venezuela’s peace, stability, and territorial integrity.
As Venezuela’s diplomatic push continues, The Gambia’s inclusion among the countries consulted highlights Banjul’s role, however discreet, in Africa’s collective response to a crisis that has raised profound questions about sovereignty, international law, and the future conduct of global power.
