French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot has emphasized that the United States military operation in Venezuela violates the principle prohibiting the use of force that underpins international law, stating clearly that no lasting political solution can be imposed from outside. France’s position reflects broader European concerns about sovereignty violations following Saturday’s strikes.
Barrot stressed that only sovereign people themselves can decide their future, rejecting the notion that external military intervention can create legitimate or sustainable political change. His statement aligns with similar criticisms from Spain, the European Commission, and other EU member states calling for respect of international legal norms.
The operation resulted in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores, who are being transported to New York to face drug trafficking charges according to US Attorney General Pam Bondi. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed the charges relate to narcotics operations, while President Trump stated the couple is aboard a ship bound for the United States.
UN Secretary General António Guterres has warned of dangerous precedents being set, with his spokesperson emphasizing the critical importance of all nations respecting the UN Charter and established international law. Major powers including China and Russia have issued strong condemnations, with Russia demanding the immediate release of the captured leaders.
Latin American responses have split along political lines, with conservative governments offering support while leftist administrations condemned the intervention. Colombia has mobilized its armed forces due to concerns about refugee flows, and security experts question whether the operation will achieve democratic transformation or simply create additional instability in a region with a troubled history of external interventions and authoritarian governance.