Restoring democracy in Venezuela must respect its people’s will, EU countries say
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People holding photographs of Venezuela’s late president Hugo Chavez and President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas on Jan 3.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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BRUSSELS – The principles of international law must be upheld in Venezuela and the will of the country’s people must be respected, the European Union (EU) said on Jan 4, in a statement supported by all members of the bloc except for Hungary.
The United States attacked Venezuela on Jan 3
“The EU recalls that, under all circumstances, the principles of international law and the UN Charter must be upheld. Members of the United Nations Security Council have a particular responsibility to uphold those principles, as a pillar of the international security architecture,” the EU’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas said in a statement supported by 26 of the 27 EU nations.
The joint statement called for restraint from all sides to ensure a peaceful solution. The EU has said Mr Maduro lacked democratic legitimacy, and called for a transition to democracy determined by the will of the Venezuelan people.
“Respecting the will of the Venezuelan people remains the only way for Venezuela to restore democracy and resolve the current crisis,” the statement said.
It added that the EU shared the priority of combating organised crime and drug trafficking. Such challenges must be addressed “through sustained cooperation in full respect of international law and the principles of territorial integrity and sovereignty”, the statement said.
Mr Maduro is in a New York detention centre awaiting a Jan 5 court appearance on drug charges. He was indicted in 2020 on US charges including narco-terrorism conspiracy. He has always denied any criminal involvement.
The EU is in close contact with the United States and other partners, the statement said.
A spokesperson for Hungary’s representation to the EU did not immediately respond to a request for comment on why it had not signed the statement. REUTERS
