Singapore’s former prime minister Lee Hsien Loong has said the US military raid on Venezuela is worrying for smaller countries, becoming the latest Asian leader to voice concern over the attack. Speaking at a regional outlook forum, he argued that a difficult internal situation could not justify unilateral military intervention without proper authorisation.
Lee warned that while the operation might appear a spectacular military success, it could have long-term consequences for the international system. “From the point of view of a small country, if that’s the way the world works, we have a problem,” he said, noting that the US has done similar things before, but questioning the net benefit.
His comments add Singapore to a list of Asian nations expressing alarm over the US operation to seize Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro earlier this month. Indonesia expressed deep concern over any use of force, Malaysia described the attack as a clear violation of international law, and India urged all parties to prioritise the safety of the Venezuelan people.
China has condemned the US action as a “bullying act”, with President Xi Jinping taking a veiled swipe at “unilateral bullying” that undermines the international order. Lee also highlighted the challenge of US-China relations, noting that while many Asian countries count the US as a crucial partner, they recognise China’s growing economic power.
