EU calls for 'restraint' and respecting international law after Maduro capture
Hungary was the only EU member state not to sign the statement.
Almost all of the EU’s countries have called for “restraint” and upholding the principles of international law, after the USA captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and took him to the United States.
Hungary was the only EU member state not to sign the statement.
The Maltese government, a signatory to the statement, made similar comments independently earlier on Sunday.
“The European Union calls for calm and restraint by all actors, to avoid escalation and to ensure a peaceful solution to the crisis”.
Following explosions in Venezuela’s capital- Caracas, On Saturday US military forces, managed to capture the country’s president and transport him to the United States.
Later in the day U.S President Donald Trump said Venezuela will temporarily be under effective U.S control.
Currently in a New York jail, Maduro will face drug trafficking charges and is set to appear in front of a US judge on Monday.
In the statement the EU said that international law and the UN charter must be upheld “under all circumstances”.
“Members of the United Nations Security Council have a particular responsibility to uphold those principles, as a pillar of the international security architecture”.
The statement said the EU is in “close contact” with the US, as well as regional and international partners “to support and facilitate dialogue with all parties involved”
Talks should lead to “a negotiated, democratic, inclusive and peaceful solution to the crisis, led by Venezuelans,” the EU said.
They pointed out that the EU has repeatedly pointed out that Maduro lacks democratic legitimacy and has called for “Venezuelan-led peaceful transition to democracy in the country, respectful of its sovereignty”.
“The right of the Venezuelan people to determine their future must be respected,” the 26 countries said.
The statement also referred to US president Donald Trump’s claims that Maduro is an international drug trafficker.
“The EU shares the priority of combating transnational organised crime and drug trafficking, which pose a significant security threat worldwide”.
“At the same time, the EU stresses that these challenges must be addressed through sustained cooperation in full respect of international law and the principles of territorial integrity and sovereignty,” they said.