PARIS — French President Emmanuel Macron has publicly endorsed the prospect of a new political era for Venezuela, following the capture of President Nicolas Maduro by U.S. forces. In a statement released on the social media platform X, Macron declared that the Venezuelan people are now “rid of the dictatorship” and expressed strong support for the 2024 presidential candidate, Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, to spearhead a peaceful transition of power.
Macron’s remarks position France as a key Western ally in recognizing the dramatic shift in Venezuela’s political landscape. The French leader stated that the international community “could only rejoice” at the United States’ decision to remove Maduro from power, framing it as a liberation for the Venezuelan populace.
The backdrop to this development stems from the highly contested 2024 Venezuelan presidential election. While Gonzalez Urrutia was widely acknowledged by international observers as the legitimate winner, Maduro’s regime had proclaimed itself victorious. This disputed result triggered widespread civil unrest, which was met with a violent and deadly crackdown by state security forces under Maduro’s command.
Macron’s call for Gonzalez Urrutia to “ensure this transition as quickly as possible” adds significant European diplomatic weight to the ongoing crisis. This intervention is likely to influence other nations within the European Union to solidify their stance on recognizing a new government in Caracas, marking a pivotal moment in international relations concerning the Latin American nation.