Albares describes the capture of Maduro in an action “against international law” by the United States as a “dangerous precedent”

Spain opposes the operation to capture Nicolás Maduro perpetrated by the United States in Venezuela because it goes against international law. However, he will speak with the vice president and now president in charge of the country, Delcy Rodriguez. Among other things, to request the release of Spaniards detained in Venezuelan prisons. This is what the Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, said in an interview on Cadena Ser.

It was the first time that a member of the Government has been heard speaking about the bombing and assault by United States special forces in Venezuela, and the subsequent capture and exfiltration to the United States of the de facto president, Nicolás Maduro, who is going to be tried in New York on charges of alleged “narcoterrorism.” During the weekend after the raid early on Saturday, the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, did issue a statement expressing his “condemnation” of what he considers a violation of international law by the Donald Trump Administration.

Albares has stressed that, in Spain’s opinion, essential norms of coexistence between States have been trampled. “There are some principles, such as the principle of sovereignty, of peaceful resolution of any controversy between states that have to be respected. And that has not occurred in this case. And, therefore, we have clearly rejected it,” he said. The minister warns against “the law of the jungle” that entails actions like this. The solution to the Venezuelan crisis can only come “through a dialogue between Venezuelans,” “democratic” and “always peaceful.” “The use of violent means and force must be completely ruled out within international relations. This sets a very dangerous precedent for the future,” he warned, and called for a “world order based on predictable rules” that, as he noted, has allowed for “decades of peace, stability, and prosperity.”

In his response to whether Maduro is “captured, detained or kidnapped,” the minister avoided a blunt qualification during part of the interview.

Spain will speak with Delcy Rodríguez

In his argument, the minister has placed the episode in a broader framework: the fear that the “law of the strongest” will be normalized in international relations.

The minister has made it clear that will maintain contacts with both the Caracas Executive and the opposition. “I am going to talk to both the government of Venezuela and the opposition, I have been doing it and I am going to continue doing it,” he assured. And he specified: “We are of course ready to talk with the Government of Delcy Rodríguez, just as we will continue talking with the Venezuelan opposition, to achieve that dialogue, that rapprochement.”

Spain has taken the diplomatic initiative to articulate this coordinated response. has said. He recalled that the Executive has promoted two statements: one with several Latin American countries (those of CELAC, Spain, Brazil, Colombia, Chile and Mexico, condemning the action) and another within the framework of the European Union. Regarding the latter, he has emphasized his role in the negotiations with Brussels since Saturday morning. He has highlighted that the statement issued by 26 of the 27 countries of the European Union It has a “Spanish flavor” in its first two paragraphs, which call for respect for the international order.

“Me I would have liked a statement from the European Union harder. Spain’s position was, of course, maximum,” he stated. “There are two first paragraphs that are very clear and very forceful with respect to international law, with respect to the principles of the United Nations Charter. And what I can tell you is that those two paragraphs and the fact that they head the statement clearly have a very Spanish accent.”

Subscribe to continue reading