ADDS STATEMENT BY ANTONIO COSTA, URSULA VON DER LEYEN; REVISES HEADLINE, DECK, LEDE; EDITS THROUGHOUT
By Beyza Binnur Donmez and Burak Bir
GENEVA / LONDON (AA) - Following US strikes on Venezuela, the EU on Saturday called for restraint and de-escalation and a resolution of the situation with full respect for international law.
European Council President Antonio Costa said he is following the situation in Venezuela "with great concern."
“The European Union calls for de-escalation and a resolution in full respect of international law and the principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations," he wrote on US social media company X.
Saying that the EU will continue to support a peaceful, democratic, and inclusive solution in Venezuela, Costa added that they support the efforts of the bloc's foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas in coordination with member states to ensure the safety of European citizens in the country.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen underlined that "any solution must respect international law and the UN Charter," adding: "We stand by the people of Venezuela and support a peaceful and democratic transition."
Writing on X, she stressed that in coordination with EU member states, "we are making sure that EU citizens in the country can count on our full support."
- ‘Principles of international law and UN Charter must be respected’
Earlier, Kallas also called for restraint and said "under all circumstances" the principles of international law must be respected.
"I have spoken with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and our Ambassador in Caracas. The EU is closely monitoring the situation in Venezuela," she said in a post on X.
Reiterating the EU's position regarding the need for transition in Venezuela, she said: "The EU has repeatedly stated that Mr Maduro lacks legitimacy and has defended a peaceful transition."
"Under all circumstances, the principles of international law and the UN Charter must be respected. We call for restraint," she urged.
She said the safety of EU citizens in the country is "top priority."
Earlier, Venezuela’s government accused the US of attacking civilian and military installations in multiple states, and declared a national emergency.
On his social media platform Truth Social, US President Donald Trump confirmed the US had conducted a "large scale" strike, adding that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife had been captured and flown out of the country.
The attacks came after months of tension with the US, which accused Maduro of being involved in drug trafficking. Maduro denied being a cartel leader and had expressed readiness to hold talks.