Berlin – Divisions are emerging within German political circles regarding the United States’ recent actions concerning Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, sparking a debate about international law and the limits of foreign intervention. Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) has voiced strong concerns over the US’s actions, labeling them “deeply worrisome.
Klingbeil acknowledged Maduro’s leadership as presiding over an authoritarian regime characterized by violence and oppression, a reality few German politicians are willing to dispute. However, he emphatically stated that such circumstances do not provide justification for disregarding international law, a principle he insisted applies equally to the United States. This position directly challenges the implicit acceptance of US exceptionalism often seen in transatlantic relations.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) adopted a more cautious stance, describing the legal implications of the US intervention as “complex” and advocating for time to consider the matter. While affirming the importance of adhering to international law in state-to-state interactions, his remarks lacked the direct criticism offered by Klingbeil, signaling a broader internal debate within the CDU regarding the appropriate response.
Siemtjie Möller, Vice Chair of the SPD parliamentary group, has taken a significantly firmer stance. Möller has explicitly called on the German government to hold US President Donald Trump accountable for the actions taken towards Venezuela, emphasizing his responsibility to facilitate a peaceful transition and create conditions conducive to free and fair elections. “The Venezuelan people must have the opportunity to determine their own future” she asserted.
Möller cautioned against Venezuela’s resources, particularly its oil reserves, becoming a pawn in geopolitical power struggles. She urged the German government to leverage its political and diplomatic influence to pressure the United States toward a managed and peaceful resolution – a veiled criticism of what many perceive as the unilateral nature of US foreign policy. Describing Maduro’s regime as lacking democratic legitimacy and engaging in systematic opposition crackdowns, Möller reiterated that such transgressions, while undeniably serious, cannot excuse violations of international law and the application of military force. “International law is universally binding and that applies unequivocally to the United States of America” she stated.
The escalating tensions underscore a growing discomfort within German political circles regarding the US’s perceived disregard for international legal frameworks and highlight the challenges Germany faces in balancing its transatlantic relationship with upholding its own commitment to multilateralism.
