The German Christian Social Union (CSU) parliamentary group leader, Alexander Hoffmann, has voiced strong support for Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s cautious assessment of the recent events in Venezuela, signaling a division within the European political landscape regarding the legitimacy of the unfolding situation. Hoffmann, speaking to RTL and ntv, emphasized a pragmatic approach that prioritizes the removal of Nicolás Maduro, characterizing it as “per se a good news” while acknowledging the complexities of a subsequent legal evaluation.
Hoffmann’s comments follow Chancellor Merz’s measured response, which avoided immediate condemnation of the US-backed operation, instead calling for a careful examination of the event’s legality under international law. This position, seemingly detached from immediate moral judgment, has drawn scrutiny, particularly given Maduro’s widely documented history of human rights abuses and electoral manipulation.
“There are persistent arguments, even within legal assessments, suggesting a president was abducted” Hoffmann conceded. “However, that is not the case; Nicolás Maduro is not a president”. He underscored the difficulty in separating the factual event-the removal of Maduro-from the myriad and deeply troubling circumstances that precipitated it. His reliance on Chancellor Merz’s call for reserved judgment reflects a desire to avoid rash conclusions and a potential exploration of the strategic implications of the power shift.
The CSU’s stance highlights a significant tension within European political discourse. While condemning authoritarian rule is a widely held principle, the unconventional nature of the Venezuelan transition necessitates a complex calculation involving international law, potential geopolitical ramifications and the risk of destabilizing the region. Critics may argue that prioritizing legal technicalities risks overlooking the immediate humanitarian needs of the Venezuelan people and appears to tacitly endorse an extralegal intervention. The delayed, cautious evaluation, however, suggests an attempt by German lawmakers to navigate a precarious situation with an eye towards long-term stability and a thorough understanding of a deeply fraught political reality.