The countries that make up the International Federation of Social Workers for Latin America and the Caribbean (IFSW LAC) express our concern regarding the military intervention carried out against the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela on January 3, 2026, as it constitutes a violation of the principles of sovereignty, self determination of peoples, peaceful settlement of disputes, and International Law.
We reaffirm that it is legitimate to question governments for authoritarian practices, corruption, or human rights violations; however, this does not justify or legitimize a foreign military intervention. Unilateral actions and the use of force deepen social suffering, generate serious humanitarian impacts, and put regional stability at risk, directly affecting the peoples.
From Social Work, we reaffirm our commitment to democratic pathways, dialogue, mediation, and peace. We call for prioritising the well being of peoples over individual or geopolitical interests, and we urge Social Workers throughout the region to uphold these ethical principles in their professional practice, contributing to the defence of human dignity and the peaceful resolution of conflicts.
January 3, 2026
IFSW LAC