(CNN) -- The Lord's Resistance Army slammed "Kony 2012" as a "clear act of malevolent deception and manipulation of world mass consciousness" in an 18-page statement believed to be its first response to the viral video spotlighting the renegade group and its leader, warlord Joseph Kony. "Behind 'Kony 2012' lurks the U.S.A., which is not a 'banana republic' state, but a world hegemonic power that runs a vast global network of war, intelligence and security institutions, and a myriad of their humanitarian front and service organizations," said the statement signed by Justine Labeja, a spokesman for Kony's organization known commonly by its acronym, LRA.
@highlight
The LRA issues an 18-page statement obtained for CNN by a respected journalist
@highlight
It calls Invisible Children, which produced the video, a front organization for Washington
@highlight
The video went viral and made Joseph Kony a household name
@highlight
A sequel released Thursday addresses some of the criticisms of "Kony 2012"
"Kony 2012" has drawn criticism from many corners but this was the first reaction from @placeholder.