CARACAS, June 17 – Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro delivered a scathing condemnation of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, labeling him the “Hitler of the 21st century”and denouncing Israel’s recent airstrikes on Iranian territory as acts of “criminal aggression.” The remarks, made during a national television address, represent one of the strongest criticisms of Israel by a non-Middle Eastern leader in recent months.
A Deepening Global Divide
Maduro’s condemnation highlights growing international polarization surrounding Israel’s ongoing military offensives, particularly its June 13 attacks on Tehran and several major Iranian cities. The strikes reportedly killed multiple senior Iranian military officials, scientists, and civilians, prompting strong reactions from across the Muslim world and now extending to Latin America.
Speaking with visible emotion, Maduro denounced what he called “violent and inhumane acts” committed by the Israeli government under Netanyahu’s leadership. He also accused the international community, especially Western powers and institutions like the United Nations, of complicity through their silence.
“Western countries have armed him, funded him, and handed him missiles to commit these atrocities,” Maduro said.
Maduro’s Challenge to the West
The Venezuelan leader didn’t hold back in criticizing the positions of Germany, France, and the United States, accusing them of hypocrisy and double standards.
“What are Berlin, Paris, and Washington saying about the Zionist regime’s recent aggression against Iran? Will they continue cheering on the Hitler of the 21st century in his crimes against the noble and peace-loving people of Iran?” he asked.
Maduro also called on Jewish communities around the world, especially those in Israel, to speak out against Netanyahu’s policies, warning that history would remember those who remained silent or complicit in the face of war-driven extremism.
“Where will all this hatred and violence lead? Do they think missiles and bombs will break the will of the people of the world?”
Rising Regional Tensions
Maduro’s remarks come just one day after Israel launched a massive airstrike campaign on various Iranian sites, which Israeli officials described as a “preemptive strike” aimed at neutralizing strategic threats. Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, issued a stern warning in response:
“The regime must await severe punishment. The powerful hand of the Islamic Republic’s armed forces will not let them go unpunished, God willing.”
The incident has raised fears of a wider conflict between Israel and Iran, one that could threaten not only the stability of the Middle East but also the global economy and international security architecture.
What’s Next?
While Maduro’s voice adds moral pressure to the global discourse, it remains unclear whether his comments will influence the decisions of major world powers. Still, his statement reflects the mounting global frustration over Israel’s aggressive military policies and the perceived inaction of Western governments.
In an increasingly fractured global landscape, Maduro’s fiery denouncement could either amplify demands for international accountability or further deepen the divide between East and West, North and South.
