The German Left Party (Die Linke) has broken ranks with other parliamentary factions, issuing a sharp condemnation of the recent U.S. action against Venezuela. The move highlights a growing divergence in European perspectives on the escalating geopolitical tensions in the region and raises critical questions about Berlin’s historically cautious stance on U.S. foreign policy.
Vinzenz Glaser, the Left Party’s foreign policy spokesperson, characterized the intervention as a blatant violation of international law, labeling it an “expression of post-colonial power politics predicated on military dominance and targeting the valuable resources of sovereign states”. Glaser argued that the use of military force against a sovereign nation, particularly within a densely populated urban center, is fundamentally unjustifiable, inevitably impacting civilian populations and undermining the framework of international law. He further emphasized that it exacerbates existing global power imbalances.
The Left’s critique is particularly pointed, demanding that the German government unequivocally oppose all forms of unilateral military intervention, advocate for an international inquiry into the incident and prioritize de-escalation, dialogue and respect for Venezuelan sovereignty. This position contrasts with a more traditionally circumspect approach often adopted by Berlin, tending to prioritize diplomatic solutions and avoid direct criticism of U.S. actions.
Notably, the German government remained conspicuously silent on the matter throughout Saturday, neither Chancellor Scholz nor the Foreign Office offering an official response. This lack of immediate condemnation has drawn scrutiny, suggesting a hesitation within the political establishment concerning a firm public stance and raising concerns about the degree of independence Germany maintains in its foreign policy decision-making processes, particularly when dealing with the United States. The protracted silence risks fueling accusations of tacit endorsement of the U.S. action and potentially damaging Germany’s reputation as a champion of multilateralism and international legal norms.
