January 5, 2026 | 04:47 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Former Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan has urged the Indonesian government to avoid a passive response to the United States military attack on Venezuela. According to Anies, the abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro sets a bad precedent for Global South nations, including Indonesia.
Anies expressed regret over the US attack on Venezuela that occurred on Saturday, January 3, 2026. "It contradicts the very principles of sovereignty and multilateralism that America has long championed," he stated via his X account @aniesbaswedan just hours after the strike.
According to him, these unilateral actions by the United States raise questions about the consistency of the "Big Brother" nation as a self-proclaimed guardian of world democracy. He described the attack as a risk that could spread instability across the globe.
Therefore, Anies believes that Indonesia must protect its national interests with a more strategic approach. The former presidential candidate insists that Indonesia cannot simply follow the current global trend without a clear plan.
Anies stated that the US attack on Venezuela is more than a violation of sovereignty. "It’s a deliberate effort to restrict the Global South’s freedom to manage its own resources," he remarked.
Anies emphasized the need to strengthen solidarity among developing nations during this crisis. He noted that it is vital to uphold the principle of non-intervention, a value that many countries have long fought to maintain.
The former education minister also pointed out the weakness of multilateral diplomacy, such as through the United Nations or the Organization of American States (OAS), "rendering soft approaches like the ASEAN Way less effective against direct confrontations," Anies said.
Anies argued that this moment requires more proactive diplomatic work. "It’s time for us to develop a more proactive diplomacy, including networks with non-state actors for effective mediation, rather than a passive neutrality that leaves us vulnerable as collateral damage," he explained.
This attack, according to him, could serve as a catalyst to reform global governance from the perspective of developing countries. "Indonesia has the opportunity to lead initiatives at the UN to amplify the voices of developing countries, particularly on strategic resources," Anies said.
He conveyed that this stance is a moral duty and a strategy for survival in a divided world. "Leadership that builds bridges rather than yielding to destructive powers," he stressed.
The people of Venezuela were shocked by US military strikes on civilian and military sites, which caused large explosions in several states. Following the strikes, the Latin American country declared a national emergency.
US President Donald Trump later confirmed that his administration led the attack. He stated that US forces took President Nicolas Maduro and his wife into custody and moved them to the US. The couple faces federal charges related to alleged drug trafficking and ties to terrorist groups.
Following the attack, Indonesia urged all parties to choose peaceful steps despite the large-scale military action. "Indonesia calls on all parties to prioritize a peaceful resolution through de-escalation and dialogue," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated on Saturday, January 3, 2026.
Indonesia also reminded the international community that protecting civilians must remain the top priority as the situation in Venezuela continues to escalate.
Sita Planasari contributed to the report.
Read: U.S. Operation in Venezuela Raises Dangerous Precedent, Indonesia Says
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