How Latin America sees the Russia-Ukraine conflict

Latin American countries broadly condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine at the United Nations General Assembly, as the UN passed a resolution on Wednesday describing the military actions as a violation of international law and an act of aggression. The resolution “demands that Russia immediately, completely, and unconditionally withdraw all of its military forces from the territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.” It also condemns Russia’s decision to “increase the readiness of its nuclear forces.”

Governments from left to right — including all the region’s major economies — joined the 141 affirmative votes registered in the UN emergency session, more than enough to breach the two-thirds requirement to pass the initiative. Still, five Latin American countries failed to support the resolution.

Although internal differences were present under the surface, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, Chile, and Peru were all part of the majority bloc. Still, a few Latin American names were also notable among the 35 abstentions, including Bolivia, Nicaragua, Cuba, and El Salvador. Venezuela — one of Vladimir Putin’s main allies in the region — chose not to vote at all.

Regional powerhouses Brazil and Mexico showed some nuance to their stance, adding that Western sanctions on Russia were concerning and counterproductive, while Brazil also opposed the West’s weapon shipments to Ukraine.

Brazil had already lobbied for softer language in the UN Security Council’s resolution and argued that sanctions “risk further escalating tensions with unpredictable consequences to the region and beyond.” Mexican President Andrés Manuel “AMLO” López Obrador made it clear on Tuesday that joining sanctions would go...