Hungary criticises EU over Venezuela statement

Hungary’s European Union affairs minister on Monday criticised an EU statement on Venezuela, calling it evidence of “the deep crisis” in the bloc’s foreign policy.

Janos Boka said the statement by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas “clearly exposes the deep crisis of the EU’s common foreign policy” and described it as a “sign of weakness and a fundamental misunderstanding of the transformation of international relations.” He added that the EU “has no real message or strategy” for Venezuela and lacks tools or influence in the region.

Boka said Budapest is taking all necessary steps to protect Hungarian citizens in Venezuela, safeguard energy supplies, and monitor developments on the ground.

In a separate statement, Balazs Orban, political director to Prime Minister Viktor Orban, said the EU’s position “undermines the bloc’s international credibility” and criticised it for addressing a situation over which it has “neither meaningful influence nor real leverage.”

Prime Minister Viktor Orban welcomed the U.S. capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and the intervention in the country, saying it could improve global energy markets. “Together with Venezuela, the U.S. will now be able to control an estimated 40-50% of the world’s oil reserves,” he said, calling the development “good news” for Hungary.

The EU statement, supported by 26 member states, had urged calm and restraint, called for respect of international law and human rights, and stressed the importance of a Venezuelan-led, peaceful transition. It said Nicolás Maduro lacks legitimacy as a democratically elected president and underlined the need for dialogue among all parties to reach a negotiated solution. The bloc also demanded the unconditional release of political prisoners and highlighted ongoing EU efforts to protect citizens in Venezuela.

U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed the military operation on Saturday, saying Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores were captured and pledged to assert American control over Venezuela if necessary. Maduro has denied the accusations, while officials in Caracas have called for the couple’s release.

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