Hungary only EU member state not to support Kallas' statement on US intervention in Venezuela

Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, issued a statement on the United States' intervention in Venezuela. The statement was backed by 26 of the 27 member states, with Hungary being the only one that didn't support it.

According to the statement, "the European Union calls for calm and restraint by all actors, to avoid escalation and to ensure a peaceful solution to the crisis". The EU also notes that the principles of international law and the UN Charter must be upheld under all circumstances. According to the statement, the EU has repeatedly stated that Nicolás Maduro lacks the legitimacy of a democratically elected president. At the same time, the EU believes that the Venezuelan people have the right to determine their own future and that a Venezuelan-led peaceful transition to democracy must be achieved.

The statement further stresses that the EU shares the priority of combating transnational organised crime and drug trafficking, but believes that these challenges must be addressed through sustained cooperation in full respect of international law and the principles of territorial integrity and sovereignty. According to the bloc, it is also "essential that all actors fully respect human rights and international humanitarian law."

According to the 26 member states of the European Union, respecting the will of the Venezuelan people remains the only way to resolve the current crisis and restore democracy. They believe that all political prisoners currently being held in Venezuela should be released unconditionally.

US President Donald Trump previously said that according to their plans, Venezuela would be governed by the United States for a period of time. We contacted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade to ask why Hungary did not sign the joint statement. As soon as we receive a response, we will provide an update.