“Venezuela Is Far Away from Zimbabwe”: Mnangagwa’s Diplomatic Masterstroke in Dubai

President Emmerson Mnangagwa once again demonstrated political maturity, sharp intellect, and diplomatic finesse when he responded to a provocative foreign policy question at the ongoing World Governments Summit in Dubai.
The question, posed by American commentator Tucker Carlson, sought to draw the Zimbabwean leader into commenting on recent dramatic developments in Venezuela,a clear attempt to push him into taking sides on a highly sensitive geopolitical issue involving global powers.
Rather than taking the bait, President Mnangagwa delivered a response that was as brief as it was profound.
“Venezuela is far away from Zimbabwe,” the President remarked, drawing laughter and applause from the audience.
He added that Zimbabwe relies on what it reads in the media and cannot always be certain that such reports accurately reflect realities on the ground, noting that while events in Venezuela are of interest, the reasons behind them are what truly matter.
It was a classic case of measured ambiguity,a diplomatic tool often employed by seasoned statesmen.
Instead of issuing a rigid or emotionally charged position on a complex international matter, the President opted for caution, reflection, and neutrality.
The question itself was designed to provoke. It sought to test Zimbabwe’s foreign policy posture, particularly its relations with Western powers versus the East by nudging the President to comment on a situation framed within the broader context of sovereignty, international law, and global norms.
By choosing uncertainty over alignment, President Mnangagwa sent a powerful message without uttering a single confrontational word.
Zimbabwe’s long-standing foreign policy principle“a friend to all and an enemy to none”was on full display.
The seemingly simple statement that “Venezuela is far away from Zimbabwe” carried deeper meaning. It subtly redirected attention to the reality that Africa itself faces pressing challenges closer to home.
Conflicts and instability in regions such as the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mozambique pose more immediate concerns for the continent and demand greater international focus.
In essence, the President was saying: Zimbabwe is part of the global community, yes, but it will not be dragged into selective outrage or power-driven narratives.
This was not ignorance. It was deliberate restraint.
For a country actively seeking a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council, the moment served as a live demonstration of Zimbabwe’s commitment to non-alignment, respect for sovereignty, and diplomatic balance.
The applause that followed was not accidental. It was recognition of a response that avoided division, upheld principle, and reaffirmed Zimbabwe’s independent voice in global affairs.