The Azania Movement, a recently-formed political formation based in the Eastern Cape, has condemned the United States’ recent military operation in Venezuela and called for a stronger commitment to African economic sovereignty. In a statement dated 5 January 2026, the organisation argued that global responses to conflict are shaped by resource interests—not humanitarian concerns.
The group warned that South Africa must act in its own economic interests and resist being drawn into international agendas that do not align with African development goals.
What happened in Venezuela?
In the early hours of Saturday, 3 January 2026, United States special forces carried out a covert military operation in Caracas, Venezuela. Known as Operation Absolute Resolve, the raid resulted in:
- The capture of President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores
- Their transfer to New York on charges of narco-terrorism and drug trafficking
- The appointment of Vice President Delcy Rodríguez as interim leader under US pressure
The operation also led to multiple casualties among Maduro’s personal security team, including 32 Cuban nationals, according to official Cuban sources.
Global reactions:
- Cuba confirmed its nationals were killed and condemned the operation.
- China, Russia, and Iran issued public statements denouncing the raid.
- UN Secretary-General António Guterres called it a “dangerous precedent.”
Azania Movement’s position
The Azania Movement said Venezuela’s crisis should not be viewed in isolation, but as part of a broader pattern where mineral-rich countries face foreign intervention when their policies diverge from Western interests.
The movement stated:
“These interventions are rarely about democracy or human rights, but about who controls resources and who sets the price.”
While acknowledging South Africa’s official condemnation of sanctions and unilateral action, the group insisted that South Africa’s primary duty is to protect its own economic and political interests.
What the Azania Movement is calling for
In its statement, the organisation outlined three key demands:
| Demand | Explanation |
|---|---|
| 1. Economic independence | Control over Africa’s natural resources, investment in domestic production, job creation, and fair pricing. |
| 2. Respect for sovereignty | Rejection of sanctions, coercive diplomacy, and all forms of external interference. |
| 3. Shared global responsibility | A call for fair and collective international responses—not selective outrage or burden-shifting. |
“South Africa, as a developing nation, cannot bear the burden of global advocacy alone,” the movement emphasised.
Local relevance: Why this matters to South Africa
The Azania Movement linked its criticism of global double standards to South Africa’s own experience of international neglect, highlighting that:
- Flood victims in Mthatha
- Residents affected by shack fires
- Victims of gender-based violence
- Survivors of xenophobic attacks
…have received little to no international solidarity.
“Where was the urgency of the international community?” the statement asked.
The group warned that South Africa should avoid becoming a tool in foreign conflicts while its own development priorities remain unmet.
