Mexico Raises Concerns Over U.S. Actions in Venezuela, Reasserts Non-Intervention Policy

Mexico has taken a clear diplomatic position following reports of a United States military operation in Venezuela and the alleged detention of President Nicolás Maduro. President Claudia Sheinbaum publicly criticized the action, framing it as a serious challenge to long-standing principles of international law and regional sovereignty.

Rather than issuing a routine statement, Sheinbaum grounded Mexico’s response in established legal frameworks, referencing the United Nations Charter and Mexico’s historic foreign policy doctrine of non-intervention. Her remarks emphasized that the use of force against another state, regardless of political disagreements or criminal accusations, raises significant concerns for the stability of international norms.

At the center of Mexico’s position is Article 2(4) of the UN Charter, which prohibits the use or threat of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any nation. Mexican officials argue that this principle is essential for maintaining a global system in which smaller and medium-sized countries are protected from unilateral actions by more powerful states.

Sheinbaum also referenced the Estrada Doctrine, a policy guiding Mexican diplomacy since 1930. The doctrine holds that governments should not judge or interfere in the internal legitimacy of other nations. In today’s context, Mexico views this principle as a safeguard against external intervention and a reminder of Latin America’s history with foreign involvement in domestic political affairs.

The Mexican government has stressed that actions taken in Venezuela could set precedents affecting the entire region. Officials have warned that using military force to resolve political disputes risks undermining sovereignty across the hemisphere and could weaken trust in multilateral institutions designed to manage conflict peacefully.