Brussels, Belgium – January 5, 2026 – Twenty-six European Union member states have jointly called for calm, restraint, and unwavering respect for international law in response to the United States' military operation in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.
The statement, issued late Sunday by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas, declares: "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."
Supported by all EU members except Hungary, the declaration underscores the "particular responsibility" of UN Security Council members to maintain these principles as foundational to global security. It reiterates the EU's longstanding position that Maduro "lacks the legitimacy of a democratically elected president" following the widely disputed July 2024 elections, advocating instead for a "Venezuelan-led peaceful transition to democracy" that respects sovereignty and the Venezuelan people's right to self-determination.
The statement emphasizes combating transnational organized crime and drug trafficking through "sustained cooperation, in full respect of international law and the principles of territorial integrity and sovereignty." It calls for the unconditional release of all political prisoners in Venezuela and notes coordinated efforts by EU consular authorities to protect citizens, including those detained.
Kallas highlighted ongoing contacts with the US, regional, and international partners to "support and facilitate dialogue" toward a "negotiated, democratic, inclusive, and peaceful solution" led by Venezuelans. "Respecting the will of the Venezuelan people remains the only way for Venezuela to restore democracy and resolve the current crisis," the document concludes.
Hungary's decision not to endorse the statement reflects its close ties to the Trump administration and differing views on foreign interventions, marking a rare instance of disunity in EU foreign policy declarations.
The joint position comes amid the fallout from the US operation on January 3, which President Donald Trump described as a "large-scale strike." Maduro and Flores were transported to New York, arriving late Saturday, and are detained at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. They face longstanding US federal indictments on charges including narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation, and ties to designated terrorist organizations. Maduro has denied the allegations, with Venezuelan authorities demanding their release and condemning the action as a violation of sovereignty.
Trump has pledged temporary US oversight of Venezuela, potentially involving troops, to facilitate transition and rebuild infrastructure, including oil facilities. Interim leadership in Caracas, under Acting President Delcy Rodríguez, has navigated calls for calm while asserting continuity.
The EU's measured response balances criticism of Maduro's regime—long sanctioned by Brussels for human rights abuses and electoral irregularities—with adherence to multilateral norms and opposition to unilateral force. This aligns with broader European concerns over precedents for intervention, even as some leaders privately welcome Maduro's removal.
Individual member states have varied in tone: France and Spain stressed legal violations, while others focused on democratic prospects. The statement's near-unanimity underscores shared priorities on rule-based order amid transatlantic strains.
As the UN Security Council prepares discussions, the EU positions itself as a mediator, prioritizing de-escalation and Venezuelan agency. This approach reflects lessons from past crises, advocating dialogue over confrontation in a volatile region.
The development highlights evolving global dynamics, with Europe's emphasis on law contrasting sharper divisions elsewhere. For Venezuela's people, enduring economic hardship and political turmoil, the path forward remains uncertain, hinged on international restraint and internal reconciliation.
