On the morning (CET) of January 3rd, 2026, reports indicated that the US had launched military strikes against Venezuela, following which the US later confirmed the attacks and claimed the capture of Nicholas Maduro, the authoritarian ruler of Venezuela. This follows a pressure campaign consisting of sanctions and aerial attacks against individual Venezuelan boats, with the US claiming they are associated with drug trafficking.  

Although Maduro has violated the right of self-determination of Venezuelan people, the end doesn’t justify the means.This escalation is a grave violation of international law, which only has power if it is enforced uniformly. To selectively allow violations on the basis of political grounds weakens the global order, empowering rogue states and power-hungry dictators. The US has not requested nor received approval from the competent organs, the United Nations Security Council or General Assembly, in line with UN charter and international law in general, to launch the attack. Further, claims of complicity with drug trafficking do not provide a legal justification to such attacks, which are undermining the international rules-based order, and can lead to loss of life, property, and stability. These official justifications were also contradicted by Donald Trump himself, who indicated that US interests in Venezuela are anchored in oil, not laws. Regardless of any possible political outcomes, the totalitarian tendencies, lack of legitimacy, and human rights violations of the Maduro regime do not justify this unilateral illegal attack and abduction. 

The assault is part of a global trend of rogue superpowers that, exploiting the paralysis of international institutions, unilaterally initiate aggression, aiming to divide the globe into spheres of influence with no regard to the suffering it causes. The international community must unite against such actions and reform the global order.  

This aggression also shows again that the EU must step up its global role, achieve strategic autonomy, and chart a path anchored in peace and international law. 

Today, swift response is required to prevent this assault from escalating into a prolonged, full-scale war.  Therefore we, the Young European Federalists, call upon the European Union: 

• To condemn the illegal US attacks in Venezuela; 

• To assist the Venezuelan people by providing humanitarian aid, if it will be needed; 

• Together with partners from the region and international mechanisms, push for a cessation of hostilities; 

• Reduce military, political, and economic dependence on the United States of America.  

Unilateral military aggression and the forcible abduction of people cannot be normalized under any pretext. In this dark moment for global peace, marked by the growing erosion of international law and multilateral governance, we must respond with unity, conviction, and action. This situation once again demonstrates that Europe’s strength and security depend on genuine strategic autonomy and strong commitment to international law. Only in the context of a European Federation, acting as a force for the reform of global governance and the strengthening of international institutions, can Europe effectively counter international anarchy and defend a rules-based global order. 

 

See our related resolution here. For questions on this, reach out to Dvir.