Twenty-Six EU Nations Call for Restraint After US Venezuela Action

(MENAFN) Twenty-six European Union member states issued an urgent appeal late Sunday for calm and adherence to international law following recent US military intervention in Venezuela.

"The European Union calls for calm and restraint by all actors, to avoid escalation and to ensure a peaceful solution to the crisis. The EU recalls that, under all circumstances, the principles of international law and the UN Charter must be upheld," a joint statement from EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas declared.

Hungary stood alone as the sole EU member declining to support the declaration. The statement emphasized that UN Security Council members bear "particular responsibility" to uphold international law principles "as a pillar of the international security architecture."

The bloc reiterated its longstanding position on Venezuela's leadership crisis. "The EU has repeatedly stated that (Venezuela's captured President) Nicolas Maduro lacks the legitimacy of a democratically elected president and has advocated for a Venezuelan-led peaceful transition to democracy in the country, respectful of its sovereignty. The right of the Venezuelan people to determine their future must be respected," the statement noted.

Addressing criminal networks, the EU stressed the necessity of combating "transnational organised crime and drug trafficking" through collaborative efforts, "in full respect of international law and the principles of territorial integrity and sovereignty."

"We are in close contact with the United States, as well as regional and international partners to support and facilitate dialogue with all parties involved, leading to a negotiated, democratic, inclusive, and peaceful solution to the crisis, led by Venezuelans," the statement underscored.

The declaration demanded respect for Venezuelan citizens' aspirations to "restore democracy and resolve the current crisis."

"All political prisoners currently detained in Venezuela must be unconditionally released. EU Member States' consular authorities are working in close coordination in order to protect the safety of EU citizens, including those illegally detained in Venezuela," it added.

The statement follows President Donald Trump's announcement that US military forces executed an operation in Venezuela resulting in the detention of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores. Trump pledged to maintain American authority over the nation temporarily, deploying US troops if required.

Maduro and Flores arrived in New York late Saturday and remain detained at a Brooklyn facility. They face US federal charges connected to narcotics trafficking and purported collaboration with organizations designated as terrorist groups.

Maduro has rejected the allegations, while officials in Venezuela's capital Caracas have demanded the couple's immediate release.

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