January 5, 2026 l Dalena Reporters
BRUSSELS — In a strongly worded collective response to a controversial U.S. military operation in Venezuela, twenty-six member states of the European Union issued a joint statement on January 4, 2026, calling for calm, restraint and strict adherence to international law in the wake of the United States’ capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.
The statement, endorsed by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and supported by all EU member states except Hungary, emphasised that “under all circumstances, the principles of international law and the U.N. Charter must be upheld” as a foundation of international security and diplomatic order. It urged all parties to work toward a peaceful, negotiated and democratic resolution to the ongoing crisis in Venezuela.
The unprecedented U.S. military action which included airstrikes in Caracas and the extraction of President Maduro, who now faces federal drug trafficking charges in New York has triggered global debate about sovereignty, legal norms, and political legitimacy. U.S. officials have defended the operation as a law enforcement and counter-narcotics action, while critics argue that it violates established international legal frameworks governing the independence of states and the immunity of heads of state.
In their joint declaration, the EU states reiterated that while Maduro “lacks the legitimacy of a democratically elected president” following the disputed 2024 Venezuelan elections, his detention and removal from office via foreign military force contravenes international legal norms and must not undermine the fundamental rights of the Venezuelan people to determine their own political future. The statement stressed that combatting transnational organised crime and drug trafficking must occur within the scope of international cooperation and respect for sovereignty.
Highlighting the bloc’s diplomatic priorities, the EU reaffirmed its commitment to facilitating dialogue with the United States, regional partners, and all Venezuelan stakeholders, ensuring that any transition process remains inclusive, peaceful, and led by Venezuelans themselves. It also called for the unconditional release of all political prisoners in Venezuela and confirmed coordinated efforts to safeguard the security of EU citizens in the country.
The collective stance represents one of the most cohesive European responses to the crisis, though it stops short of outright condemnation of the U.S. action. Hungary’s decision not to co-sign the statement reflects emerging divisions within the bloc over geopolitical alignment and interpretations of international legal standards.
The fallout from the U.S. intervention continues to reverberate worldwide, drawing commentary from global institutions and governments alike amid heightened scrutiny of international law and the future of democracy in Venezuela.