IndustriALL calls to defend the rule-based international order

The world order is at a dangerous crossroads with the invasion of Venezuela by the Trump administration which ended with the abduction of the country's President and his wife. Trump has made no secret about the fact that he wants control of the world's largest oil reserves. After that, the US president has made claims to Greenland which is a part of the Kingdom of Denmark and threatened Mexico, Colombia, Cuba and Iran.

IndustriALL Global Union stands behind the statement made by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and the Trade Union Confederation of the Americas (TUCA), condemning the US military attack on Venezuela and the violation of its sovereignty. This is a clear violation of international law and cannot be tolerated. Forced regime change is not acceptable anywhere in the world. We support the demand for an immediate release of the President and his wife and call for an urgent return to dialogue so that peace, sovereignty and self-determination are upheld in the region.

IndustriALL is extremely concerned about this dangerous move away from an international rule-based order and reiterate the call from our Congress in November last year.

At its Congress in Sydney in November 2025, IndustriALL reaffirmed that peace, respect for international law and universal human rights are non-negotiable foundations as we build towards a just and sustainable world. Congress also underlined the role of international institutions, such as the United Nations in peacekeeping, mediation and peaceful resolution of conflicts. Unilateral military actions that bypass multilateral institutions undermine this framework, weakening global efforts to maintain peace.

The Congress resolution recalls that international trade must work for working people, be grounded in rules that apply to all and respect fundamental workers' rights. Geopolitical escalation and unilateral measures disrupt global and regional supply chains, destabilise economies and place workers at greater risk of job losses, trade union repression and declining wages and working conditions.

IndustriALL calls on governments to:

• Respect international law and multilateral institutions
• Prioritize diplomacy, dialogue and peaceful solutions
• Avoid actions that escalate conflict and deepen geopolitical confrontation
• Ensure that workers and trade unions are not targeted, silenced or made to pay the price of political decisions taken without their consent

IndustriALL reaffirms its solidarity with workers and communities affected by conflict, repression and economic instability. This particularly goes to people and workers in Venezuela. As trade unions, we stand for peace, democracy, social justice and workers' rights globally. Without peace and respect for the rule of law, decent work and fair trade are impossible.

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