Germany’s Response to US Action in Venezuela Draws Criticism
A period of conspicuous silence from German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and his government following a US military action against Venezuela has sparked a wave of criticism, particularly from left-leaning political factions.. The incident, details of which remain officially unconfirmed but widely reported, has ignited a debate about Germany’s stance on international law and the nation’s relationship with the United States.
Fabio De Masi, leader of the leftist party “Die Basis” (BSW), sharply condemned the US intervention, labelling it an act of “state terror” aimed at seizing Venezuelan oil reserves. He demanded the immediate summoning of the US Ambassador to Germany, asserting that regardless of individual assessments of the Venezuelan government’s actions, such military force constitutes a clear violation of international norms.
The criticism leveled against the German government extends beyond the initial action itself. De Masi pointed to the EU and Berlin’s prior award of the Nobel Peace Prize to a Venezuelan opposition figure who has publicly advocated for regime change as examples of a “double standard” prevalent in Western diplomacy. He argues that these actions, coupled with the military intervention, demonstrate a pattern of selective application of principles, undermining the credibility of international institutions and legal frameworks.
“The silence from Berlin and Brussels exposes the hypocrisy at the heart of Western foreign policy” remarked a political analyst with close ties to the BSW. “While we often champion democratic values and territorial integrity, these are conveniently set aside when they serve perceived strategic interests.
De Masi further escalated the critique, suggesting that Donald Trump’s actions align with a long and problematic history of US foreign policy interventions – a history he believes warrants investigation by the International Criminal Court. The delayed and muted response from the German government has amplified these concerns, highlighting a growing divide within the political landscape and raising questions about the future of Germany’s role in multilateral diplomacy under conditions of heightened geopolitical tension.
The incident underscores the complexities of navigating the increasingly fraught relationship between Germany and the United States, particularly when confronting actions perceived as breaches of international law.
