EU avoids condemning US military intervention in Venezuela

Tuesday 06 January 2026 - 12:20

By: Dakir Madiha

EU avoids condemning US military intervention in Venezuela

The European Union issued a carefully worded statement Sunday calling for calm and respect for international law after US forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, but refrained from condemning the military action or assessing its legality, exposing deep divisions over how to address Washington's aggressive unilateralism.

Backed by 26 of the bloc's 27 member states with Hungary as the sole dissenter, the declaration urged "restraint by all actors" and stressed that "principles of international law and the UN Charter must be upheld." Yet, when asked Monday during the European Commission's daily briefing whether the US intervention violated international law, spokeswoman Anita Hipper called any assessment "premature."

The EU's tepid response reflects a delicate balancing act: welcoming the ouster of a leader it deemed illegitimate while struggling to defend the international legal order. High Representative Kaja Kallas reiterated that Maduro "lacks the legitimacy of a democratically elected president" while simultaneously calling for respect of international law. Commission spokeswoman Paula Pinho framed the intervention as opening "the possibility of a democratic transition led by the Venezuelan people."

Critics accused Brussels of hypocrisy and weakness. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot delivered one of Europe's sharpest rebukes, stating the operation "violates the principle of non-use of force, which is the cornerstone of international law" and warning that "no lasting political solution can be imposed from outside." British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the United Kingdom was "in no way involved" in the operation and called for establishing facts before judgment.

Hungary refused to endorse the EU statement in full. Prime Minister Viktor Orban called the US intervention "further proof" of the collapse of the liberal world order and stated his country would not join statements elevating EU foreign policy. Hungarian officials instead highlighted the potential for US control of Venezuelan oil to create "a more favorable global energy situation" for Hungary.

The Venezuelan crisis marks the latest strain on transatlantic ties under President Donald Trump's second term. Trump explicitly stated the United States aims to control Venezuela's vast oil reserves, telling reporters American oil companies would "come in, spend billions of dollars, fix the badly damaged infrastructure" and "start generating revenue for the country." UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned the intervention sets a "dangerous precedent" for the international order.

The EU's hesitant response underscores Europe's waning influence in shaping global events and its reluctance to confront Washington, even as the Trump administration openly rejects the international legal frameworks Europe champions.