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Leaders around the world on Wednesday condemned the storming of the U.S. Capitol by supporters of President Donald Trump, saying they were shocked at the chaos unfolding in a country they once relied on for world leadership.
“Shameful scenes in the US Congress,” tweeted British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, a staunch ally of the United States for generations. “The United States is a supporter of democracy around the world and it is now vital that there is a peaceful and orderly transfer of power.”
Other allies were also appalled at what they described as an attack on American democracy, although some said they believed America’s democratic institutions would withstand the turmoil. A number of leaders have criticized Trump for his harsh criticism.
“Trump and his supporters should finally accept the decision of American voters and stop trampling on democracy,” German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas wrote on Twitter. “Inflammatory words come from violent acts.” He added that “contempt for democratic institutions has disastrous effects”.
“The beauty of democracy?” with a shrug emoji was the reaction tweeted by Bashir Ahmad, a personal assistant to the President of Nigeria, who has seen several coups since independence – including one led decades ago by President Muhammadu Buhari. , who recently came to power by vote.
Chilean President Sebastián Piñera and Colombian President Iván Duque were among those in Latin America who spoke out against the protesters, but both also said they were convinced that American democracy and the rule of law would prevail.
“In this sad episode in the United States, the supporters of fascism showed their true face: undemocratic and aggressive,” tweeted Luis Roberto Barroso, judge of the Brazilian Supreme Court and head of the country’s electoral court. He said he hoped that “American society and institutions would react vigorously to this threat to democracy.”
Venezuela, which is subject to US sanctions, said the events in Washington show that the United States “is suffering from what it has generated in other countries with its policy of aggression.”
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro survived US-backed opposition efforts to oust him despite accusations of human rights violations, civil unrest and a humanitarian crisis that have forced millions of people to flee this oil-rich country.
In Puerto Rico, many people took to social media and joked that US territory no longer wanted the state. Independence, they said, looked appealing for the first time in decades.
In fact, it was this quest for independence that marked one of the last times the US Congress was violently stormed. Four members of the Puerto Rican Nationalist Party opened fire on the floor of the House in March 1954, injuring five lawmakers.
Italians viewed events with shock, having always viewed the United States as the model of democracy and the country that saved Italy after its fascist descent in World War II.
“This is the widely expected outcome of Trumpism,” tweeted retired Italian center-left politician Pierluigi Castagnetti. “And unfortunately, this will not end today. When politics are replaced by the deception and fanaticism of the people, the drift is inevitable.
The President of the European Parliament, David Sassoli, who heads one of the largest legislatures in the world, also denounced the scenes of the Capitol. The European Union has spent four fierce years dealing with the Trump administration, and its senior officials have repeatedly said they look forward to a better relationship under the leadership of President-elect Joe Biden.
“It’s an insurrection. Nothing less. In Washington, ”tweeted Carl Bildt, a former Swedish prime minister.
Turkey, a NATO ally that has at times been at odds with Washington, has expressed concern over images of angry Trump supporters trying to thwart Biden’s certification as the new president. The chaos forced lawmakers to be kicked out of the building.
A statement from the Turkish Foreign Ministry urged all parties in the United States to show “moderation and common sense.”
“We believe that the United States will overcome this domestic political crisis with maturity,” the ministry said.
The ministry’s statement also urged Turkish citizens in the United States to stay away from crowds and protests.
Trump issued a narrow call for peace long after the melee had started, but did not immediately ask supporters to disperse. He later urged them to return home and called them “very special people”.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said his country was “deeply troubled and saddened” by events in the United States, Canada’s closest ally and neighbor.
“Violence will never succeed in nullifying the will of the people. Democracy in the United States must be maintained – and it will be, ”Trudeau tweeted.
Volkan Bozkir, president of the 193-member United Nations General Assembly, said he was saddened by the developments. But, he tweeted, “I believe that peace and respect for democratic processes will prevail in our host country at this critical time.”
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