Trump’s abduction of Nicolás Maduro, the legitimate president of Venezuela, is a clear example of state terrorism and a blatant violation of international law. The incident not only drew widespread global condemnation but also triggered a wave of anti-American protests across the world. Washington’s allegation that Maduro was involved in drug trafficking collapsed, and international public opinion clearly demonstrated that the U.S. narrative lacked credibility. In such circumstances, Europe was expected to take a firm stance to prevent this dangerous U.S. precedent, but the approach of the EU and European states instead pointed to their passivity and loss of credibility.
Europe Powerless in Face of US
Europe continues to claim a global role and political independence, yet the U.S. action in Venezuela showed that these claims are largely performative and hollow. While some countries, such as Spain, condemned the U.S. move, the European Union merely issued a statement calling on all sides to exercise restraint and stopped short of directly condemning Washington. The stance of Italy’s prime minister and France’s attempts to justify this act of aggression reveal Europe’s dependent and irresponsible nature. Western media, by falsely portraying Maduro as a trafficker, also sought to legitimize the terrorist and law-breaking character of the U.S. action.
A Crisis of Credibility for European Unity
Europe has long presented itself as America’s principal ally and adviser, advancing its policies since World War II through NATO and bilateral cooperation with Washington. However, the U.S. military aggression against Venezuela and Trump’s unilateral decisions—taken without consulting Europe—invalidated the EU’s claim to being a reliable ally. This move showed that even Europe’s long-standing ally, the United States, views the self-proclaimed Europe as an insignificant pawn, a reality that starkly illustrates Europe’s declining global status.
Economic and Strategic Consequences for Europe
Beyond the damage to its reputation and political standing, Europe will also suffer economically. By dominating Venezuela’s oil resources, the United States will deprive Europe of access to cheap energy and force it to bear higher costs. Economic pressure and Europe’s compelled role in U.S. policies against China point to deep dependence and a diminishing level of strategic autonomy for the continent. Trump’s publicity-driven abduction of Maduro not only weakened Europe in global calculations but also intensified the chain of economic and political dependence and humiliation, accelerating the decline of the Green Continent.
NOURNEWS