The German Social Democratic Party (SPD) has sharply distanced itself from the United States’ recent military operation in Venezuela and the attempted seizure of President Nicolás Maduro, criticizing the actions as a severe violation of international law. Siemtje Möller, SPD parliamentary group vice-chair and defense policy spokesperson, condemned the intervention as “unacceptable” and a “grave breach of international law” expressing deep concern over Washington’s apparent disregard for established international norms. Möller characterized the U.S. actions as a further indication of a decline in a previously stable democratic leadership, raising questions about the long-term implications for global order.
Möller further suggested that President Trump’s motives were primarily driven by domestic political considerations, alleging an attempt to deflect attention from internal challenges, recent electoral defeats and unfavorable polling data. “Trump is apparently willing to employ any means necessary to divert attention, even tearing down the framework that has regulated relations between states for decades” she stated. She cautioned against further escalation, emphasizing the need for de-escalation.
The criticism extended beyond the SPD. Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, defense policy expert from the Free Democratic Party (FDP), drew a stark comparison between Trump’s actions in Venezuela and Vladimir Putin’s conduct in Ukraine, arguing both leaders are asserting spheres of influence while brazenly disregarding international law and implicitly providing each other with space for maneuver. Strack-Zimmermann interpreted Trump’s intervention as an unmistakable warning to Denmark and Greenland, highlighting his willingness to resort to coercion when voluntary compliance is lacking.
This perspective has fueled calls for a more robust and independent European foreign and security policy. As chair of the European Parliament’s Defense Committee, Strack-Zimmermann urged European nations to urgently develop a unified foreign policy and a credible, assertive security posture, warning that Europe risks becoming marginalized if it fails to take a proactive role on the global stage.
The criticism reached its peak with Sahra Wagenknecht, founder of the “Basis Movement for Homeland and Freedom” (BSW), who condemned the U.S. operation as “state terrorism” designed to secure access to Venezuelan oil resources. Wagenknecht called on the German government to unequivocally condemn the action and reject it through all available diplomatic channels, even suggesting the immediate expulsion of the U.S. Ambassador’s deputy as a demonstration of that condemnation. The increasingly divergent stances across the German political spectrum underscore a growing anxiety regarding the direction of U.S. foreign policy and its potential impact on international stability.