Germany Demands Respect for International Law in Venezuela Crisis

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has stated that international law principles must be applied in the Venezuela crisis. This position comes amid divided international reactions following U.S. President Donald Trump's military operation in Venezuela and the arrest of President Nicolás Maduro.

On the same day, French President Emmanuel Macron held a phone conversation with Venezuelan opposition politician and Nobel Peace Prize laureate María Corina Machado, expressing support for her demand to release political prisoners.

Macron Declares Support for Opposition Leader Machado

President Macron stated via social media platform X that "like all Venezuelans, she can count on France's support for a peaceful and democratic transition that fully respects the sovereign will of the Venezuelan people."

Machado argued on the same day that opposition candidate Edmundo González Urrutia should assume the presidency. The United States and international election observers believe Urrutia won the 2024 presidential election.

Machado urged via X, "Today we confirm our authority and are ready to assume power," calling on citizens to "remain vigilant, active, and organized until the democratic transition is complete."

U.S. Sanctions Completely Paralyze Oil Exports

According to Reuters, Venezuela's oil exports have been completely paralyzed due to the political crisis. Oil exports, which had already declined significantly after President Trump imposed blockade measures on sanctioned tankers, were completely halted on this day.

According to operational officials, trade was suspended as port captains did not receive requests to authorize vessel departures. Despite previous shipments to the United States and Asia, several vessels that recently loaded oil failed to depart, and some vessels waiting to load departed empty.

TankerTrackers, a specialized tracking site, reported that no loading operations occurred on Saturday at José Terminal, Venezuela's main oil export port.

Anti-War Protests Spread Across the United States

Protests against Trump's military operation in Venezuela and the arrest of President Maduro and his wife took place across the United States. According to CNN, demonstrations were held in Washington, New York, Boston, Minneapolis, and Atlanta, with protests also scheduled in Chicago and Los Angeles.

Dozens gathered in front of the White House holding signs reading "No War with Venezuela," "No Blood for Oil," and "U.S. Out of Latin America." Protesters chanted slogans while holding Venezuelan flags.

Protests against the U.S. operation in Venezuela also took place in Rome.

Background of Divided International Response

The divergent international positions on the Venezuela crisis stem from the controversy surrounding the 2024 presidential election results. While the United States and some European countries recognize the opposition candidate's victory, the Venezuelan government has maintained Maduro's reelection.

The Trump administration's military operation is interpreted as an attempt to resolve this deadlock through force, but it has raised concerns about violating sovereignty under international law. Chancellor Merz's emphasis on applying "international law principles" appears to come from this context.

The oil export halt is expected to deal a devastating blow to Venezuela's economy. Venezuela holds the world's largest oil reserves, and oil exports account for the majority of national revenue.

Future Outlook [AI Analysis]

The Venezuela crisis highlights the tension between international law and humanitarian intervention. As international reactions to the U.S. military operation remain divided, political rifts in the Latin American region are likely to deepen.

If the oil export paralysis becomes prolonged, concerns are growing that Venezuela's humanitarian crisis will worsen. This could paradoxically produce results that conflict with the United States' stated purpose of supporting democratization.

European countries are expected to maintain support for opposition leadership while distancing themselves from unilateral U.S. actions. The positions of France and Germany are interpreted as attempts to seek balance between the two principles of respecting sovereignty and supporting democracy.

The international oil market may also be affected by the disruption of Venezuelan oil supply, which is expected to lead to discussions on global energy security.