The European Union has formally set out its position on the future of Venezuela following the dramatic US military operation in Caracas that led to the arrest of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. The EU said it supports Venezuela’s sovereignty and a peaceful transition to democracy, while backing the fight against organised crime but rejecting unilateral military solutions, as reported by Renewz, citing The WP Times and a statement by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas.

In a post on Х, Kallas said 26 of the EU’s 27 member states supported a common position on Venezuela, with only Hungary opting out. The bloc reaffirmed that the Venezuelan people have the right to decide their own future and that any resolution to the crisis must be democratic, inclusive and led by Venezuelans themselves.

“The European Union recalls that under all circumstances, the principles of international law and the UN Charter must be respected,” Kallas wrote. “Members of the UN Security Council bear special responsibility for upholding these principles as a cornerstone of the international security system.”

EU response to the US operation in Caracas

The statement follows a US special operation carried out on 3 January, during which American forces carried out air strikes on parts of Caracas, leaving large areas of the southern city without electricity. US authorities confirmed that Nicolás Maduro and his wife were arrested and flown to the United States, where they are now in custody awaiting trial.

Washington accuses the couple of running a large-scale international drug trafficking network, including the shipment of cocaine and fentanyl into the United States. Prosecutors have also brought charges relating to illegal weapons possession. The US administration has also cited long-standing disputes over the nationalisation of Venezuelan oil assets that were previously owned by American companies.

The EU made clear that it shares Washington’s priority of fighting transnational organised crime and drug trafficking, which it described as a “major global security threat”. However, Kallas stressed that such challenges must be addressed through sustained international cooperation and with full respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity and international law.

“The EU believes these challenges must be tackled through cooperative, lawful and sustainable means,” she wrote, adding that military actions must not undermine the rules-based international order.

Position on Maduro and Venezuela’s political future

The EU reiterated that it does not recognise the democratic legitimacy of Nicolás Maduro’s presidency. However, it underlined that Venezuela’s future must not be imposed from outside.

“The right of the Venezuelan people to determine their own future must be respected,” Kallas said. She added that only a negotiated, peaceful and inclusive political process could allow Venezuela to restore democracy and emerge from its prolonged economic and political crisis.

EU officials confirmed that Brussels remains in close contact with Washington, as well as with regional and international partners, to facilitate dialogue between all parties involved. The goal, according to Kallas, is to create conditions for a Venezuelan-led settlement rather than a confrontation driven by external powers.

Human rights and EU citizens

The EU also raised serious concerns over human rights inside Venezuela. Kallas called for the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners currently held in the country and urged all sides to respect international humanitarian law.

“In this critical moment it is vital that all parties fully respect human rights,” she said.

EU diplomatic missions in the region are working closely together to protect European citizens, including those who may be unlawfully detained in Venezuela following the latest developments.

The situation in Venezuela remains fluid, with financial markets, oil traders and regional governments closely watching how the US-led operation and the EU’s diplomatic position will shape the country’s political and economic future in the coming weeks.

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