European nations urge restraint after US Venezuela strikes, warn on law

European governments have issued a wave of calls for restraint and the upholding of international law in response to the United States' military intervention in Venezuela and the capture of its president. The reactions, spanning from Scandinavia to the Balkans, uniformly emphasized the necessity of respecting the UN Charter and expressed deep concern over the precedent set by unilateral military action against a sovereign state.

Warnings Over International Law and Precedent

Key European voices framed the US operation as a serious breach of international norms. Slovakia's President Peter Pellegrini stated that an attack on a sovereign state without a UN Security Council mandate "constitutes a serious violation of international law," warning it could destabilize other regions. Austria's Vice Chancellor Andreas Babler condemned what he called a "serious violation of the prohibition of the use of force," arguing the world is moving "backward geopolitically." Similar concerns were echoed by officials from Switzerland, Denmark, and Slovenia, with the latter's prime minister stating such interventions "lead the world into a further spiral of war and violence."

Calls for Dialogue and Civilian Protection

Amid the legal condemnations, several European statements balanced criticism of the Maduro government with appeals for peaceful resolution. Ireland's Foreign Minister Helen McEntee noted Maduro's lack of "democratic legitimacy" but stressed the "absolute necessity" of respecting international law and called for a negotiated transition. Belgium's Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot said Venezuelans "deserve a democratic and legitimate regime" and that Maduro must be held accountable, but insisted "international law must be respected, in all circumstances." Portugal and the Netherlands focused on the safety of their nationals and regional stability, monitoring the situation through their diplomatic missions.

The Operational Context and Regional Fallout

The European statements follow the confirmation by former US President Donald Trump of a "large scale" strike that led to Maduro's capture, an action Venezuela says targeted civilian and military sites and prompted a national emergency. As Venezuela's vice president demanded "proof of life" for Maduro, the coordinated European response highlights a significant transatlantic divergence on the use of force. This collective stance underscores a European commitment to a rules-based international order, a principle also consistently advocated by Türkiye, which prioritizes regional stability and diplomatic solutions over unilateral military interventions.