‘Respect for international law essential’ – Malta on Maduro's abduction
Government calls for de-escalation but Labour MP warns of 'dangerous precedent'
The government has called for the respect of international law in the wake of the abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro by United States forces.
In its first reaction to the US actions, a government spokesperson said Malta will continue to call for de-escalation, stability and a peaceful and democratic solution to the situation.
The spokesperson said the government is in close contact with European Union partners to monitor developments.
Backbench Labour MP Edward Zammit Lewis struck a stronger tone, saying the US actions are tantamount to an affront on the international legal order, rule of law, the legitimate and moral authority of the United Nations, the general principles of sovereignty and equality of states.
“These actions create a dangerous precedent for defenceless, small but sovereign countries like Malta, who rely on the application of international law to safeguard their sovereignty, no matter what,” Zammit Lewis said.
Using a similar tone ex-European Commissioner Helena Dalli made a similar point drawing parallels with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“Oppressing people can never be justified, but what we are now seeing in Venezuela and what we have been seeing in Ukraine has crossed all red lines," said Dalli, who is also the acting president of Malta, whenever Myriam Spiteri Debono is away.
Maduro was in a New York jail Saturday, hours after American special forces seized and flew him out of his country, which Donald Trump said would come under effective US control.
A spokesperson for the Nationalist Party said Malta, in line with the European Union, has never recognised Maduro as the legitimate president of Venezuela.
The spokesperson said the party has always believed in democracy and in the right of every country to be governed through democratic means.
“It is clear that the people of Venezuela are yearning for democracy. However, under all circumstances, any transition must be democratic and peaceful, fully respecting human rights, international law, and accountability,” the PN spokesperson said.
Earlier on Sunday, Momentum questioned why both the government and the PN had yet to react 24 hours after Maduro’s capture.