The European Union on Saturday urged calm and adherence to international law following the announcement by US President Donald Trump that American forces had captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro during a major military operation.
In a statement posted on X after talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the EU’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, reiterated the bloc’s long-held position that Maduro lacks democratic legitimacy and stressed the need for a peaceful resolution.
“The EU has consistently maintained that Mr Maduro does not have legitimacy and has supported a peaceful transition in Venezuela,” Kallas said. “Under all circumstances, international law and the UN Charter must be respected. We call for restraint.”
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa echoed the message, emphasizing support for the Venezuelan people and a democratic path forward.
“We stand with the people of Venezuela and back a peaceful and democratic transition. Any outcome must respect international law and the UN Charter,” von der Leyen wrote on social media.
Costa said he was monitoring events in Venezuela “with great concern” and urged de-escalation, while Kallas added that the EU was closely tracking the rapidly evolving situation. She noted that she had spoken with the EU’s envoy to Venezuela and underlined that the safety of EU citizens remained the bloc’s top priority.
The EU has refused to recognise the outcome of Venezuela’s disputed 2024 presidential election, which handed Maduro a third term, and has imposed sanctions on dozens of officials accused of undermining democracy. However, unlike the United States, the bloc has stopped short of formally recognising opposition candidate Edmundo González Urrutia as Venezuela’s legitimate leader.
González Urrutia, who entered the race as a late replacement for opposition figure Maria Corina Machado after she was barred from running, fled to Madrid following the election. Spain has since offered to act as a mediator in the wake of Maduro’s capture.
