Dutch Foreign Affairs Minister points to legal concerns over U.S. action in Venezuela

Caretaker Foreign Minister David van Weel has told the Tweede Kamer, the lower house of Dutch parliament, that the U.S. operation in Venezuela raises “legitimate questions” regarding its “compatibility” with international law. The VVD minister did not provide a direct answer, pointing instead to a previous EU statement that also avoided a clear conclusion.

Several parties in the Tweede Kamer, VVD included, have said that the operation to capture former leader Nicolás Maduro breached international law. The Tweede Kamer will interrupt its Christmas recess on Thursday for a committee debate with Van Weel about the situation in Venezuela, a neighbor of the Caribbean Netherlands. Left-leaning parties are urging the Cabinet to formally condemn the attack.

The EU released a joint statement on Sunday evening, in which all member states except Hungary stressed that all parties must respect international law. The EU noted that this responsibility is particularly significant for countries that hold permanent seats on the UN Security Council, including the United States.

In his letter to the Tweede Kamer, Van Weel reiterated that under Maduro, Venezuela has become a dictatorship and that it must become a stable democracy once he leaves office. He also communicated this point to his U.S. counterpart, Marco Rubio, during a phone conversation on Monday.

Over the past weekend, President Donald Trump stated that the United States is temporarily “running” the country, though his exact meaning is unclear. Meanwhile, Maduro’s vice president, Delcy Rodríguez, has been installed as acting president with Trump’s endorsement.

Van Weel writes that the situation in Venezuela is now “stable.” He adds that the effects on Aruba, Curaçao, and Bonaire have been relatively minor, with Saturday’s temporary flight disruptions having “the most impact.” The minister emphasized that the islands face no immediate danger.

Van Weel says that the Netherlands and the Caribbean countries have been prepared for multiple scenarios for some time. In addition to the roughly 800 troops already stationed there, defense forces have units on standby that can be deployed “at short notice” if needed.