Ziggy Ojiegbe

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Twenty-six member states of the European Union have rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s suggestion that the United States could temporarily govern Venezuela, arguing that any transition of power must be decided by Venezuelan citizens and conducted in line with international law.

The EU response followed a U.S. military airstrike in Venezuela that led to the arrest of President Nicolás Maduro and his spouse on charges related to narco-terrorism. After Maduro’s removal, his vice president was installed as interim leader. President Trump later stated that the United States might directly administer Venezuela for a period of time.

EU leaders warned that while Maduro’s rule was widely regarded as illegitimate, foreign control of Venezuela would also violate international law. In a joint statement, the bloc stressed that Venezuela’s sovereignty and the will of its people must be respected.

“We once again emphasize that the principles of international law and the UN Charter must be observed under all circumstances,” the statement said. It added that members of the UN Security Council bear a special responsibility to uphold these principles, a remark widely interpreted as indirect criticism of the United States, a permanent Security Council member.

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The EU reiterated its long-standing position that Maduro lacks democratic legitimacy and that Venezuela must undergo a peaceful, democratic transition led by Venezuelans themselves. “The right of the Venezuelan people to determine their own future must be respected,” the statement said.

While acknowledging that transnational organized crime and drug trafficking pose serious global security threats, the EU argued that such challenges must be addressed through cooperation that respects sovereignty, territorial integrity, and international law.

The bloc also said it remains in close contact with the United States, regional actors, and international partners to facilitate dialogue among Venezuelan stakeholders, with the goal of achieving a democratic and peaceful resolution through negotiations led by Venezuelans.

“Respecting the will of the Venezuelan people is the only path for Venezuela to restore democracy and resolve the current crisis,” the statement concluded.

Hungary was the sole EU member state not to support the joint declaration. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who maintains close personal and political ties with President Trump, has often diverged from EU consensus on foreign policy matters.

Orbán has been in power since 2010 and has cultivated relationships with both Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, positioning himself as a bridge between competing global powers. He shares ideological ground with Trump on issues such as immigration, nationalism, and conservative Christian values, and has long been viewed as Europe’s most openly pro-Trump leader.

Following last year’s U.S. election, Orbán traveled to Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence to meet with the president-elect. He has publicly praised Trump as a leader capable of ending the Russia-Ukraine war, while Trump has described Orbán as “the last hope of the West.”

Critics have noted the irony of European opposition to foreign control of Venezuela, given Europe’s own colonial history and ongoing accusations of neo-colonial influence. Analysts point to historical exploitation of resources across Africa, Asia, and the Americas, as well as modern political and economic ties that continue to bind former colonies to European powers.

Despite these criticisms, the EU maintains that its position on Venezuela is grounded in international law and the principle that lasting political change must come from the people of the country itself.