Spanish premier 'strongly condemns' violation of int'l law in Venezuela

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

GENEVA (AA) - The Spanish prime minister on Sunday said he has "strongly condemned" the violation of international law in Venezuela, referring to recent US strikes and the capture of the country's President Nicolas Maduro.

In a letter to his Socialist Workers Party (PSOE) to congratulate on the new year, Pedro Sanchez said: "The recent violation of international law in Venezuela, an act we strongly condemn, as well as the suffering of the peoples of Ukraine and Palestine, remind us how important it is to have a government in Spain that advocates and defends, always and everywhere, international law and the peaceful resolution of conflicts."

This condemnation came after his Saturday remarks in which he refused to recognize the US intervention.

"Spain did not recognize the Maduro regime. But neither will it recognize an intervention that violates international law and pushes the region toward a horizon of uncertainty and belligerence," Sanchez wrote on the US social media company X.

Venezuela early Saturday said the US attacked civilian and military installations in multiple states, and then declared ‌a national ‌emergency.

US President Donald Trump confirmed the "large scale" strike, and that Maduro and his wife had been captured and flown out of the country. He later said the US will "run" Venezuela until a "safe" transition is ensured, and fix its "broken" oil infrastructure.

The two have been taken to a detention centre in New York, and will appear in court over alleged drug-trafficking charges.

The attacks came after months of growing US pressure on Maduro, who Washington accuses of being involved in drug trafficking. The Venezuelan leader had denied the claims and expressed readiness for talks.