French President Emmanuel Macron stated on 3 January, following the capture of Nicolás Maduro, the authoritarian leader of Venezuela, emphasising that the end of Maduro’s dictatorship should be a moment of hope for the Venezuelan people. The French president said that Maduro’s rule profoundly undermined Venezuelans’ dignity by seizing power and violating fundamental freedoms.
President Macron indicated that France is actively coordinating with its allies and partners in the region to ensure the safety of its nationals during this period of uncertainty.
However, he refrained from commenting on whether the United States’ actions complied with international law.
Dominique de Villepin, a former French Prime Minister and experienced diplomat, noted that the capture of Nicolas Maduro poses a challenge to the world order.
In an interview with the television channel BFM on 4 January, the former prime minister said: “Nobody will miss Nicolas Maduro. He has driven his country into bankruptcy and ruin, with eight million exiles. But that does not justify the United States unilaterally questioning a state’s sovereignty. What is at stake is a challenge to the world order. The limitlessness of Empires, the predation of the United States on resources. Donald Trump has just taken control of the world’s largest gas station.”
Dominique de Villepin highlighted that “We need a grand European pact for sovereignty.”
“In a world where everything is interconnected, the national and the international, the first defence is that of who we are, of our values, of the principles of law against force.”
He highlighted that the United States, Russia, and China threaten French and European sovereignties.
“Technology, digital, finance, defence: the limitless expansionism of Empires is a danger to our Nations. In response, we must refuse to submit, and equip ourselves with the attributes of power,” the former prime minister emphasised.
