European Socialists React to US Actions in Venezuela

On Saturday morning, socialists throughout Europe expressed outrage over the recent actions taken by the Trump administration against Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.

Following a series of pre-dawn attacks led by the elite Delta Force unit and authorized by US President Donald Trump, both Maduro and his wife were captured. They now face criminal charges in the United States related to allegations of narcoterrorism.

The ousting of President Maduro may signal the end of nearly three decades of socialist governance in Venezuela. Once one of the wealthiest nations in South America due to its oil reserves, the country has seen a dramatic decline, now ranking among the poorest.

Despite a track record fraught with economic failures, numerous human rights violations, and accusations of electoral fraud, the government in Caracas has maintained support from several European socialists. Notably, former British Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn has expressed admiration for Hugo Chavez, Maduro’s predecessor who passed away in 2013, lauding his efforts to support the impoverished.

In response to the recent upheaval, Corbyn stated, “The United States has launched an unprovoked and illegal attack on Venezuela. This is a blatant attempt to take control of Venezuela’s natural resources. Such actions are an act of war that threaten the lives of millions and should be condemned by anyone who values sovereignty and international law.”

Zarah Sultana, co-leader of Corbyn’s radical Everyone’s Party, pointed out that Venezuela’s vast oil reserves are no coincidence, labeling the US actions as blatant imperialism. She called for solidarity with the Venezuelan people and urged the Starmer Labour government to denounce the assault.

In Britain, outrage continues among far-left factions. Former presidential candidate Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of the La France Insoumise party in France, criticized the US for violating Venezuela’s sovereignty through military intervention and the alleged kidnapping of Maduro and his wife.

He remarked, “Drug trafficking is now used as a pretext by powerful countries to disrupt the international order. In various regions like Ukraine, Gaza, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, aggression is ramping up once more. Global peace is at risk.”

In Germany, Ines Schwertner of Die Linke, which is linked to East Germany’s former communist regime, accused the Trump administration of engaging in what she termed “state terrorism.” She declared, “Hands off Venezuela! Those who endorse the president’s kidnapping while violating international law are committing acts of brutal state terrorism. We need to uphold international law without double standards, and the federal government must quickly denounce the US actions.”

Further afield in Spain, Ione Belarra, leader of the leftist Podemos party, urged Madrid to break ties with the United States, calling it a “danger to the world” amid its imperialist and terrorism-associated actions.