Cuba and Venezuela, two nations with authoritarian governments, have come out in support of Iran following its recent missile strike against Israel.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Cuba’s Foreign Ministry called for an end to what it described as “Israeli aggression in the Middle East.” The ministry claimed that Israel’s actions, backed by the US, have led to a dangerous escalation in the region, compromising stability and security. The statement also expressed solidarity with nations allegedly attacked by Israel and accused the Israeli government of disregarding international law.
Cuba’s communist government has been vocal about its opposition to Israel’s actions in the region, particularly in the wake of last year’s violent conflict. However, the statement made no mention of the brutal attacks carried out by Hamas, an Iranian-backed terrorist organization, on October 7, which included mass executions, gang-rapes, and infanticides.
Venezuela’s socialist government also released a statement on Wednesday, characterizing Iran’s actions as a “legitimate defense” against the “threats and crimes” of the Israeli regime. The statement called on the international community to stop what it described as “genocide” against the Palestinian people and Lebanon, as well as the alleged attempt by Israel and the US to control the region.
Both Cuba and Venezuela have been critical of Israel’s recent actions against Hezbollah, a Shiite jihadist proxy of Iran. Cuba’s president, Miguel DÃaz-Canel, publicly condemned Israel’s airstrike that killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, who was responsible for thousands of civilian deaths.
Cuba’s official newspaper, Granma, described Iran’s missile strike as a “clear response” to the deaths of Nasrallah and other leaders. The newspaper disputed Israel’s claims that the attack was largely unsuccessful, stating that 80 percent of the missiles hit their targets.
