Latin American leaders condemn deadly concert hall shooting attack in Russia

By Esra Tekin

ISTANBUL (AA) — Latin American leaders condemned a late Friday-night attack in Russia's Moscow region that killed at least 40 people and injured 145 others in a concert hall shooting.

"We strongly condemn the terrorist attack perpetrated at the Crocus City Hall concert venue in Moscow. We send our condolences to the families of the victims and the people of Russia," Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro said on X after the attack that took place in Crocus City Hall in Krasnogorsk.

Maduro underlined Venezuela's support for Russia and its President Vladimir Putin, adding that it "categorically" rejects acts of violence that disrupts peace of people worldwide.

Separately, Colombian President Gustova Petro expressed his solidarity with the loved ones of the attack's victims.

"My solidarity with the families of the people killed in Moscow. Dozens fallen victim to terror. May peace reign among Slavic peoples and may peace prevail in the world," he said on X.

Petro added that terrorism could not be eradicated through military means but only via political solutions.

Bolivia's president, Luis Arce, also took to X to condemn the incident, which Moscow has declared a terrorist attack.

He also extended Bolivia's solidarity and condolences to Russia, "our brother President Vladimir Putin," and families of the victims, adding: "This tragic incident must be denounced by the entire international community."

- Attack during concert

Gunmen killed 40 people and injured 147 others in a shooting at a concert hall near Moscow, the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) announced late Friday.

The incident took place in Krasnogorsk, the administrative center of the Moscow region, where the music band Picnic was performing at Crocus City Hall, according to preliminary information. The group was uninjured in the attack, law enforcement agencies said.

An explosion at the venue later caused a large fire. The country's Emergency Ministry said that about a third of the building was engulfed in flames, with several helicopters working to extinguish the blaze.

The fate of the shooters remains unknown, with reports claiming they managed to flee the scene.

Over 100 people have so far been evacuated from the building, the ministry added, with more people awaiting assistance on the roof.