The German Christian Social Union (CSU) parliamentary group leader, Alexander Hoffmann, has voiced strong support for Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s cautious assessment of the recent events in Venezuela, signaling a division within German political circles regarding the legitimacy of the unfolding situation. Hoffmann, in comments to RTL and ntv, emphasized a pragmatic, if somewhat controversial, perspective on the ousting of Nicolás Maduro.
“Initially, it’s a welcome development – a dictator is gone” Hoffmann stated, effectively sidestepping immediate condemnation of the operation’s legality. He conceded that the international legal ramifications are “not easily answered” advocating instead for a separation of this legal assessment from the underlying circumstances.
The CSU leader directly challenged narratives characterizing the events as an abduction of a sitting president, arguing that Maduro’s continued claim to the presidency is fundamentally untenable. “Reports suggesting a president was kidnapped miss the crucial point: Nicolás Maduro was not a legitimate president” he asserted, highlighting Maduro’s history of human rights abuses and electoral manipulation. This stance implicitly justifies, if not explicitly endorses, a move that many international bodies and nations view with legal concern.
Hoffmann’s remarks underscore a growing tension within the German government and broader political spectrum. While Chancellor Merz initially called for restraint and a thorough legal evaluation, Hoffmann’s comments demonstrate a readiness – within at least one prominent wing of the CDU/CSU coalition – to prioritize the removal of an authoritarian regime despite potential breaches of international law. The delayed and carefully worded response from Berlin suggests a desire to balance condemnation of the actions taken with a recognition of the humanitarian and democratic implications of Maduro’s removal, but also exposes the complex political considerations guiding Germany’s foreign policy in a volatile region. The timing and phrasing of the response will be closely scrutinized by both allies and adversaries as Germany navigates a delicate geopolitical position.
