Venezuela Condemns Israeli Interception of Gaza Aid Flotilla as ‘Cowardly Act of Piracy’
Mexico City, Mexico, October 2, 2025 (venezuelanalysis.com) – The Venezuelan government condemned Israel’s interception of the Global Sumud humanitarian flotilla, calling it a “cowardly act of piracy” in a statement published Wednesday.
“This military boarding in international waters once again exposes the criminal nature of the Zionist regime, which attacks a civil and peaceful mission whose sole purpose was to deliver 5,500 tons of humanitarian aid to a Palestinian people subjected to hunger and extermination,” read the communique.
The “Global Sumud” humanitarian flotilla was the latest effort by civil society groups to peacefully break the Israeli blockade of Gaza. Israeli officials have claimed as of Thursday to have intercepted all but one of the over 40 civilian vessels.
For their part, the flotilla organizers said 21 boats were confirmed intercepted, with the remaining vessels presumed to have been intercepted. The last remaining vessel, Marinette, which had evaded capture and was believed to have been 60 nautical miles from Gaza’s shore, is now also presumed to have been intercepted by Israel. Another ship, Mikeno, reportedly reached Palestinian waters, breaking the naval blockade for the first time since 2009, before being halted, unable to deliver its humanitarian cargo.
The ships were transporting food, medical supplies, and other essential goods intended to alleviate the humanitarian crisis caused by Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.
Venezuela further labeled Israel’s blockade of humanitarian aid as a “tool of deliberate warfare, the continuation of genocide by other means, seeking to annihilate the population through starvation in addition to indiscriminate bombardments.”
Aboard the vessels were around 500 lawmakers, activists, journalists, and human rights advocates from at least 44 countries. No Venezuelan nationals participated in this flotilla, but the Nicolás Maduro government has nonetheless been one of the most vocal champions of the Palestinian people’s cause on the world stage.
“Our unbreakable solidarity is with the heroic Palestinian people and with the brave men and women who, risking their own safety, keep alive the flame of humanity in the face of Nazi-fascist darkness,” concluded the statement.
Caracas’ denunciation is one among dozens issued in the wake of Israel’s actions in international waters, which legal experts have labeled as in violation of international law. Venezuelan social movements, including the Palestine Solidarity Platform, also issued communiques condemning Israel’s attacks against the flotilla.
Israel’s interception of the Global Sumud flotilla triggered particularly sharp reactions across Latin America, where several governments had citizens on board the aid ships.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro went the furthest, denouncing the Israeli navy as “genocidal” after two Colombians were detained and announced the expulsion of Israel’s diplomatic mission and the termination of Bogotá’s free trade agreement with Tel Aviv. Protests against Israel broke out in dozens of countries, including in the Colombian capital of Bogotá on Wednesday night.
Brazil’s government confirmed 15 nationals were on the flotilla, including a federal deputy, and warned Israel it is responsible for their safety.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum likewise stressed that her government was in disagreement with Israel’s actions while highlighting that those participating in the flotilla “did not commit any crime” and called for the “immediate repatriation” of the detained Mexican nationals.
Organizers with the Global Sumud flotilla reported that Israel has already commenced hearings for some of those detained, despite the fact that they have not had access to legal counsel.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, with shortages of food, medicine, and fuel deepening amid relentless bombardment and an ever-tightening blockade. Israeli forces have killed over 68,000 people since October 2023, with experts signalling that the figure is likely a severe undercount.
Edited by Ricardo Vaz in Caracas.