Europe Divided Over US Move In Venezuela

European capitals are struggling to square two uncomfortable truths: they welcome the fall of Nicolás Maduro, yet recoil at a US operation that appears to flout the rules that have long underpinned global order. The result is a patchwork of praise, caution and awkward silence from leaders who must balance principle with geopolitics. Many European governments have not recognised Maduro since widely criticised elections in June 2024 and want a peaceful, democratic handover. But Washington’s decision not only to oust him by force but to dismiss questions about who should govern — and who controls Venezuela’s oil — has left allies uneasy. The US hailed the action as self‑defence linked to narcotics trafficking; international jurists say that claim gives little cover under the UN charter. Prominent legal scholars argue the operation could set a dangerous precedent. By denying Maduro recognition, the US may seek to sidestep sovereign immunity in courts, a legal route previously used in the Noriega case after his 1989 capture. Critics warn that treating drug flows as a blanket justification for cross‑border force would erode the narrow conditions for legitimate self‑defence. Responses across Europe were mixed. Greece’s prime minister emphasised the relief many Venezuelans will feel while urging restraint on legal debate for now. Italy’s leader sided with Washington, calling the intervention defensive. Germany urged a careful legal review. The EU’s foreign policy chief reiterated calls for a lawful, peaceful transition, while the European Commission president stressed solidarity with the Venezuelan people and respect for international rules. France offered perhaps the starkest split: the president welcomed Maduro’s removal and urged a democratic handover led by opposition figures, whereas the foreign minister warned that using force from abroad violates the foundational ban on the use of force and risks undermining global security — especially when major powers flout those norms. Across the continent, reluctance to criticise the US openly may be shaped by reliance on Washington’s support for Ukraine. At the same time, analysts of multilateralism point to failures closer to home: years of diplomacy, investigations and documentation of abuses in Venezuela have produced few concrete international penalties. The ICC has been probing since 2021 but has yet to bring charges. Europe’s predicament is illustrative: backing democracy in principle while watching the rules that protect it fray in practice. The episode raises a bigger question for policymakers and the public alike — whether a rules‑based system can survive when great powers choose expediency over law. --- Managing your business finances? TaxAce provides smart online accountancy services for UK businesses with flexible monthly plans. Image and reporting: https://www.theguardian.com | Read original article