The European Union has called for restraint and respect for international law following the ousting of Venezuela’s former leader Nicolás Maduro, as the United States declined to provide clarity on its plans for the country’s political transition.
In a statement released late Sunday, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas urged “calm and restraint by all actors” and stressed that the principles of international law and the United Nations Charter must be upheld in all circumstances.
The statement was supported by 26 of the EU’s 27 member states, with Hungary the sole country to opt out. The bloc said Venezuela’s future must be determined by the will of its people and that a peaceful resolution remains the only path to restoring democracy.
The EU response comes after U.S. President Donald Trump described the military operation that led to Maduro’s removal as successful, while suggesting that Washington would oversee Venezuela on an interim basis. The U.S. administration has not provided details on the duration or structure of such an arrangement.
European leaders have offered differing reactions to the U.S. action. Spain criticised the intervention as a breach of international law, while Germany said the legal assessment of the operation was complex and required careful evaluation. France acknowledged public celebrations in Venezuela following Maduro’s removal, while Italy described the intervention as legitimate, citing concerns over drug trafficking.
Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured during a U.S. military operation in Caracas and transferred to New York, where they face charges including narcoterrorism and drug trafficking.
As the EU reiterated its call for a democratic transition, uncertainty remains over Venezuela’s immediate governance. Maduro’s former vice president Delcy Rodríguez has assumed de facto leadership, while publicly condemning U.S. actions and calling for Maduro’s release.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington would judge Venezuela’s future leadership based on actions rather than public statements. He added that sanctions and oil policy remain key tools for the U.S., and warned that further military action has not been ruled out.
The European Union said it would continue to monitor developments closely, emphasising that any long-term solution must respect international law and the democratic will of the Venezuelan people.
