Leaders around the world have denounced the storming of the United States. Captain Donald Trump’s followers on Wednesday voiced shock at the instability unfolding in a nation they once counted on for global leadership.
“Disgraceful scenes in the U.S. Congress,” said Prime Minister Boris Johnson of Britain, a staunch ally of the United States over decades. “The United States stands for democracy around the world and it is now vital that there should be a peaceful and orderly transfer of power.”
Other allies were equally shocked at what they viewed as an assault on American independence, while some said they hoped that U.S. political institutions would resist the chaos. Several politicians have singled out Trump for sharp scrutiny.
On Twitter, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas wrote: “Trump and his supporters should finally accept the decision of the American voters and stop trampling on democracy.” “From inflammatory words come violent deeds.”
“The beauty of democracy? “The reaction of Bashir Ahmad, a personal assistant to the President of Nigeria, who has seen many coups since independence—including one led decades ago by President Muhammadu Buhari, who has recently entered office by vote—was shrug emoji.
Chilean President Sebastián Piñera and Colombian President Iván Duque were among those in Latin America who condemned the demonstrators, but both said they were confident that American independence and the rule of law would prevail.
“In this sad episode in the U.S., supporters of fascism have shown their true face: anti-democratic and aggressive,” said Luis Roberto Barroso, the Supreme Court of Brazil and president of the country’s electoral court. He said he wished that “American society and institutions would react vigorously to this threat to democracy.”
Venezuela, which is subject to U.S. sanctions, said developments in Washington demonstrate that the U.S. “suffers what it has produced in other countries with its policy of aggression.”
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has survived U.S.-backed opposition attempts to overthrow him amid reports of human rights violations, civil strife, and a humanitarian crisis that has driven millions to leave the oil-rich region.
In Puerto Rico, several people took to social media and joked that the U.S. no longer desired statehood. Democracy, they said, seemed to be tempting for the first time in decades.
It was, in fact, the pursuit of freedom that marked one of the last periods in the U.S. Congress has been violently stormed.
Four supporters of the Puerto Rico Nationalist Party opened fire on the floor of the House in March 1954, killing five senators. The Italians watched the events in horror, still believing the U.S. to be the example of democracy and the nation that saved Italy after its fascist descent after the Second World War.
European Parliament President David Sassoli, who heads one of the biggest chambers in the country, has condemned the Capitol scenes. The European Union has spent four years negotiating with the Trump administration, and its top officials have consistently said that they are looking forward to a closer friendship with President-elect Joe Biden.
“This is insurrection. Nothing less. In Washington,” tweeted Carl Bildt, a former prime minister of Sweden.
Turkey, a NATO ally who has also been at odds with Washington, has voiced outrage about the photos of furious Trump fans seeking to thwart Biden’s certification as the next president. The chaos caused the lawmakers to run out of the house.
The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs has advised all sides in the United States to use “moderation and common sense.”
The Declaration also encouraged Turkish residents in the United States to stay away from crowds and demonstrations.
Trump released a restricted call for reconciliation long after the melee was underway, but did not immediately ask the supporters to disperse. Later, he encouraged them to go home, branding them “very special people.”
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that his government was “deeply disturbed and saddened” by developments in the U.S., Canada’s dearest friend and neighbor.
“Violence will never succeed in overruling the will of the people. Democracy in the US must be upheld — and it will be,” Trudeau tweeted.
Volkan Bozkir, President of the 193-member General Assembly of the United Nations, said he was saddened by developments. Yet, he tweeted, “I believe that peace and respect for democratic processes will prevail in our host country at this critical time.”
