The European Union on Monday rejected a U.S.-backed plan to place Delcy Rodríguez at the center of Venezuela's political transition, saying the process must include opposition leaders following the capture of Nicolás Maduro by U.S. forces.
Speaking at the European Commission's daily briefing, spokesperson Anitta Hipper said the next steps in Venezuela should focus on dialogue toward a democratic transition "that must include Edmundo González and María Corina Machado," addressing Washington directly, adding that the opposition figures deserve to play a central role because they had "fought tirelessly for democracy and human rights" and led a peaceful political movement in 2024 that was supported by "millions of Venezuelans."
Edmundo González emerged as the opposition's consensus presidential candidate in 2024 after Machado was barred from running and is widely considered to have won that election by a wide margin, though Venezuelan authorities declared Maduro the victor. Machado, a longtime opposition figure and recipient of the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize, led the campaign that mobilized millions of voters at the time.
Another Commission spokesperson, Paula Pinho, added that the events surrounding Maduro's detention created an opening for change because he "lacked the legitimacy of a democratically elected leader." "The developments facilitate the opportunity for a democratic transition led by the Venezuelan people," she said, according to RTVE.
Asked whether U.S. President Donald Trump was seeking to influence the transition, Pinho said that question should be addressed by Trump himself, while reaffirming the EU's position that any process must respect international law and the United Nations Charter. Those principles, she said, have guided the bloc's response since the political situation in Venezuela escalated.
The Commission's comments came as the EU issued a joint declaration backed by 26 of its 27 member states, with Hungary the sole exception, calling for "moderation from all actors," respect for international law and the avoidance of escalation, as well as a peaceful resolution to the crisis.
European officials also reiterated their broader commitment to sovereignty and territorial integrity, principles Hipper said were universal and particularly relevant when the borders of any EU member state were questioned, a reference made in response to separate questions about U.S. foreign policy.
Several governments in Latin America and Spain issued a joint statement rejecting what they described as "unilateral military actions" in Venezuela, as El Pais reports. Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Uruguay and Spain said such actions violated core principles of international law, including the prohibition on the use or threat of force, and warned they set "an extremely dangerous precedent" for regional peace and civilian safety.
The six countries called for a solution achieved through dialogue and negotiation, led by Venezuelans themselves, and urged the United Nations and other multilateral bodies to help de-escalate tensions. They also rejected any attempt at external control or appropriation of Venezuela's natural or strategic resources, calling such actions incompatible with international law.
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