European leaders reacted cautiously on Saturday to the dramatic developments in Venezuela, urging restraint and respect for international law after Donald Trump announced that Nicolás Maduro and his wife had been captured and removed from the country during a U.S. military operation.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said she had spoken with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the EU ambassador in Caracas, stressing that Brussels is “closely monitoring” the situation. She reiterated that the EU considers Maduro illegitimate but insists that any response must respect the UN Charter. Ensuring the safety of EU citizens in Venezuela remains the bloc’s top priority, she added.
Italy also signaled heightened vigilance. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said Rome and its embassy in Caracas are tracking developments, particularly those affecting the large Italian community—estimated at around 160,000 people, many with dual citizenship. Italy’s crisis unit is active, and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is being kept fully informed.
Germany expressed “deep concern” and announced that its crisis team would convene for further assessments, maintaining close contact with its embassy in Caracas.
Spain called for de-escalation and strict adherence to international law, offering to facilitate dialogue aimed at a peaceful, negotiated resolution. Madrid emphasized that it did not recognize the results of Venezuela’s July 2024 elections and has consistently supported democratic initiatives. Spain also noted that it continues to receive large numbers of Venezuelans fleeing political turmoil and stands ready to assist in efforts toward a democratic and peaceful outcome.
