Twenty-six European Union member states have called for calm and restraint following recent U.S. military action in Venezuela that reportedly led to the capture of President Nicolás Maduro.
In a joint statement issued late Sunday by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, the bloc warned against actions that could escalate tensions and undermine efforts toward a peaceful resolution of the crisis.
“The European Union calls for calm and restraint by all actors, to avoid escalation and to ensure a peaceful solution to the crisis,” the statement said, stressing that the principles of international law and the United Nations Charter must be upheld under all circumstances.
The statement, backed by all EU member states except Hungary, noted that members of the UN Security Council bear a “particular responsibility” to safeguard international law as a cornerstone of global security.
While reiterating its long-held position that Maduro lacks the legitimacy of a democratically elected president, the EU said it supports a Venezuelan-led, peaceful transition to democracy that respects the country’s sovereignty. It added that the right of the Venezuelan people to determine their future must be respected.
The bloc also underscored the need to address transnational organised crime and drug trafficking through sustained international cooperation, in full respect of territorial integrity and national sovereignty.
According to the statement, the EU is in close contact with the United States, as well as regional and international partners, to support dialogue among all parties aimed at achieving a negotiated, democratic, inclusive and peaceful solution led by Venezuelans.
The EU further called for the unconditional release of all political prisoners in Venezuela and said consular authorities of member states are coordinating efforts to ensure the safety of EU citizens, including those allegedly illegally detained in the country.
The statement followed remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump, who said American military action in Venezuela resulted in the capture of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. Trump also said the United States would assert control over the country temporarily, with troops if necessary.
Maduro and Flores reportedly arrived in New York late Saturday and are being held at a detention facility in Brooklyn, facing U.S. federal charges related to drug trafficking and alleged cooperation with gangs designated as terrorist organisations.
Maduro has denied the allegations, while officials in Caracas have demanded the release of the couple. The development has renewed international attention on Venezuela’s prolonged political crisis and heightened concerns over regional stability.
