Brussels [Belgium], January 4: European leaders and governments expressed strong concern on Saturday following the U.S. military action in Venezuela, stressing the need to respect international law and the UN Charter, while calling for de-escalation and dialogue.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the United States had struck Venezuela and captured President Nicolas Maduro, who was flown out of the country along with his wife. Venezuela, for its part, denounced the action as a "military aggression" after explosions were reported in Caracas.
URGE FOR RESPECT FOR INT'L LAW
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk said on Saturday that he was alarmed by U.S. intervention in Venezuela, stressing the need to uphold international law.
Posting on social media, Turk urged all parties to exercise restraint, emphasizing that the protection of people in Venezuela is paramount and must guide any further action.
On social media platform X, European Council President Antonio Costa said the European Union (EU) was following the situation in Venezuela "with great concern" and urged de-escalation, calling for a resolution in full respect of international law and the principles enshrined in the UN Charter. He reaffirmed the EU's support for a peaceful, democratic, and inclusive solution in Venezuela.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas had also called for restraint, stressing that the principles of international law and the UN Charter must be respected.
Spain also called for "de-escalation" and "responsibility." Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said Madrid was closely following developments and stressed that "international law needs to be respected."
According to official figures, around 136,000 Spanish citizens lived in Venezuela in 2023.
Portugal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs called for a reduction of tensions, respect for international law and the UN Charter, as well as the promotion of public security and calm.
Meanwhile, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen described the situation as a serious escalation and called for urgent discussion at the UN Security Council, stressing the need to uphold international law.
CONDEMNING "ILLEGAL" INTERVENTION
France took a firmer stance, with Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot openly opposing the U.S. military operation. In a statement posted on his official X account, he warned that such actions undermine the foundations of international law and could have "serious consequences for global security, which will spare no one."
He stressed that "no lasting political solution can be imposed from outside and that sovereign peoples alone decide their own future." He reiterated France's commitment to the UN Charter as a guiding principle for international action.
In the Netherlands, Foreign Minister David Van Weel called on all parties to prevent further escalation and to comply with international law, while Prime Minister Dick Schoof said the cabinet was closely following developments.
However, several Dutch lawmakers condemned the U.S. attack as illegal. Socialist Party leader Jimmy Dijk warned that such military expansion is fueling international instability and endangering lives, stressing that the Netherlands must condemn the attack. GreenLeft-Labor Party leader Jesse Klaver and Christine Teunissen of the Party for the Animals both denounced the U.S. action as "illegal."
Nordic countries also raised legal concerns. Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said, "The American intervention in Venezuela is not in line with international law."
In Greece, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the country is closely monitoring developments. But thousands of people protested in Athens and other cities, condemning what they described as a violation of Venezuela's sovereignty. Outside the U.S. embassy and consulate, demonstrators were chanting, "We are all Venezuelans," criticizing the United States for undermining international law.
RESTRAINT CONCERNS
The German government also voiced deep concern, with its crisis team convened at the Federal Foreign Office earlier on Saturday to assess the situation.
Germany's Foreign Ministry said the situation remained unclear in parts and that Berlin was coordinating closely with international partners while maintaining close contact with its embassy in Caracas.
In Britain, Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized that the country was not involved in the U.S. operation. While refraining from immediate political judgment, he stressed the need to establish all the facts and confirmed that efforts were underway to ensure the safety of British nationals in Venezuela.
Starmer said there were about 500 British nationals in Venezuela.
Source: Xinhua News Agency