Washington: The Embassy of Azerbaijan has released a statement regarding an incident involving protesters during President Ilham Aliyev's visit to Washington, D.C. The incident occurred on February 19, 2026, outside the Waldorf Astoria hotel, where a group of protesters engaged in provocative actions as the Presidential motorcade approached. The protesters reportedly attempted to breach the protected area and directed offensive actions toward the Presidential vehicle.

According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, the Embassy detailed that the Presidential Security Service had to intervene immediately due to the security concerns posed by the protesters' actions. The statement emphasized that the protective measures taken were standard practices aimed solely at ensuring the safety of the head of state. The U.S. Secret Service had publicly stated that the hotel area was within an official security perimeter.

The Embassy's statement also firmly rejected any attempts to misrepresent the security measures taken during the incident. It highlighted that Azerbaijan's security personnel operate in strict coordination with the host country and urged responsible reporting on the matter, cautioning against conclusions based on unverified claims.