politics

февраль 6, 2026

Venezuelans insist on dialogue, but reject US military pressure

February 3rd marked one month since the US bombing of Venezuela, an event that left a mark on the collective memory and continues to keep the country under a military siege in the Caribbean. Since then, Washington has not withdrawn its naval or air forces, and statements from its officials have included warnings that, according to analysts, seek to influence Caracas's political decisions through coercion.

February 3rd marked one month since the US bombing of Venezuela, an event that left a mark on the collective memory and continues to keep the country under a military siege in the Caribbean. Since then, Washington has not withdrawn its naval or air forces, and statements from its officials have included warnings that, according to analysts, seek to influence Caracas's political decisions through coercion.

In this context, Venezuelan social and political sectors have reiterated that the country is willing to engage in dialogue, but not under threat. “We want to talk, but not with a gun pointed at our heads,” stated citizen and official voices, referring to the conditions surrounding recent contacts with the United States, as quoted in an article published by Xinhua.

Acting President Delcy Rodríguez confirmed that she has held talks with President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, but stressed that any agreement must be based on respect for national sovereignty.

Contradictions in American discourse

On January 28, Rubio declared that the United States is “prepared to use force to ensure maximum cooperation if other methods fail.” This statement was interpreted in Caracas as an intimidating message, far removed from diplomatic language. At the same time, Washington has proposed negotiations regarding oil, creating a contradiction: discussing economic agreements while maintaining the threat of further military attacks. For Venezuelan authorities, no process of understanding can be built on the foundation of armed blackmail.

Institutional resilience and continuity

Following the January 3rd attack, Venezuela did not experience an institutional collapse. State structures continued to function, and society expressed its rejection of external violence through marches and demonstrations. The Venezuelan Institute for Scientific Research (IVIC), one of the centers most affected by the bombings, has begun recovery efforts, while citizens insist that the country remains standing and is committed to political solutions. The official narrative emphasizes that Venezuela is not asking for privileges, but for respect. In the streets, the demonstrations demand an end to the threats and that dialogue be built without military preconditions.

Peace and sovereignty as principles

The opinion piece published by Xinhua emphasizes that Venezuelans distinguish between diplomacy and ultimatums, between cooperation and subordination. Peace, they point out, is not built with aircraft carriers or displays of force, but by recognizing the other as a legitimate interlocutor. A month after the attack, Venezuelan society insists that social well-being is linked to independence, sovereignty, and freedom—principles that cannot be negotiated under military pressure.