Renew Europe calls for de-escalation and respect of international law following US military intervention in Venezuela
Nicolás Maduro is a ruthless, illegitimate dictator, who remained in power to persecute Venezuelans despite losing the July 2024 presidential elections - which both the UN Panel of Experts and the Carter Center confirmed were won by Edmundo González Urrutia. The European Parliament recognised him as President. Mr Maduro must face now justice for his crimes.
At the same time, Renew Europe expresses concern over the United States' military incursion into Venezuela, which undermines international law.
Renew Europe President Valérie Hayer stated :
“Venezuela deserves a democratic future that dictator Nicolas Maduro denied them. However, the military intervention of the Trump administration in Venezuela contravenes the foundations of international law. Europe is watching closely and with resolve: such an incursion must never become a blueprint. Sustainable peace, democratic legitimacy, and justice cannot be secured by military force. Sustainable peace, democratic legitimacy, and justice cannot be secured by military force."
Valérie HayerRenew Europe MEP, France, Renaissance
MEP Oihane Agirregoitia Martínez (PNV, Spain), Renew Europe spokesperson for Venezuela emphasised :
"The last Venezuelan presidential elections of July 28, 2024, which allowed Nicolás Maduro to remain in power, were rigged. Edmundo González Urrutia obtained more support," stated Renew MEP Oihane Agirregoitia Martínez (PNV, Spain). "However, the incursion into Venezuela and the capture of Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores, in the absence of independent and transparent confirmation of the facts, is very worrying."
Oihane Agirregoitia MartínezRenew Europe MEP, Spain, Partido Nacionalista Vasco
MEP Hilde Vautmans (Open VLD, Belgium), Renew Europe AFET Coordinator, said :
“No one, least of all the oppressed Venezuelan people, will mourn Nicolás Maduro’s departure. But Maduro's forced removal from Venezuela raises serious questions under international law. Change in Venezuela must come from within, and Europe must defend the rule of law without double standards. In a new world where the strong act decisively regardless of international law, Europe must finally do what is necessary to become a real global power.”
Hilde VautmansRenew Europe MEP, Belgium, Open Vlaamse Liberalen en Democraten
As the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas has emphasized, the EU remains committed to the principles of international law and the UN Charter. The future of Venezuelans cannot be decided through military intervention. Renew Europe calls for restraint and demands the US government ensure transparency and a fair trial.
"It is necessary to return the voice of Venezuelans as soon as possible, with the necessary democratic guarantees," Oihane Agirregoitia Martínez concluded. "A return to the multilateral world order is the most effective way to protect world peace and human rights."
Oihane Agirregoitia MartínezRenew Europe MEP, Spain, Partido Nacionalista Vasco
Renew Europe has full confidence in European institutions and Member States to jointly ensure the security of European citizens located in Venezuela.