Berlin – German politicians are voicing concerns and criticism regarding recent U.S. actions concerning Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, highlighting a potential diplomatic rift and raising fundamental questions about international law. While acknowledging Maduro’s authoritarian rule and the suppression of democratic processes within Venezuela, prominent figures from the Social Democratic Party (SPD) and the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) are cautioning against unilateral interventions that disregard established international norms.
Vice-Chancellor Lars Klingbeil, a leading figure within the SPD, unequivocally described the U.S. maneuver as “deeply concerning”. While recognizing the legitimacy of criticizing Maduro’s regime – characterized as one clinging to power through violence and oppression – Klingbeil emphasized that such concerns cannot justify breaches of international law, a criticism directly levelled at the United States’ actions.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz adopted a somewhat more cautious stance, initially characterizing the legal implications of the U.S. involvement as “complex” and suggesting a need for careful consideration. He reaffirmed the fundamental principle that international law must govern relations between states, a sentiment echoed by Klingbeil.
However, the SPD’s parliamentary group vice-chair, Siemtje Möller, has taken a markedly stronger position, directly calling on the German government to hold U.S. President Donald Trump accountable for the unfolding situation. Möller argued that Trump now bears a responsibility to facilitate a peaceful transition and create the conditions for free and fair elections allowing Venezuelans to determine their own future. She cautioned against Venezuela’s resources, particularly its vital oil reserves, being exploited as a pawn in geopolitical power games.
Möller underscored the German government’s responsibility to leverage its political and diplomatic influence to pressure the United States towards a structured and peaceful transition. She acknowledged the undeniable flaws within Maduro’s regime, including its lack of democratic legitimacy and the systematic suppression of opposition voices. Yet, she stressed that these failings, however significant, can never legitimize violating international law and resorting to military force. “International law applies unconditionally, even to the United States of America” Möller stated, reinforcing a message of unwavering adherence to legal frameworks in international affairs.
The differing perspectives within the German political establishment reveal a complex balancing act: condemning an authoritarian regime while simultaneously safeguarding principles of international law and avoiding actions that could further destabilize the region or undermine Germany’s diplomatic standing. The calls for accountability directed at the U.S. underscore a growing unease within Berlin regarding unilateral actions and a renewed emphasis on the importance of multilateralism in addressing international crises.