Macron clarifies stance on US operation against Maduro

French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday clarified his earlier remarks on the US military operation targeting Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, saying he “neither supported nor approved” the action, according to government spokesperson Maud Brégeon.

Macron’s statement comes after his initial comment that Venezuelans “can only rejoice” at Maduro’s overthrow drew sharp criticism from political figures in France, with some accusing him of aligning too closely with US President Donald Trump.

The clarification also contrasted with comments from French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, who condemned the US operation on Saturday, arguing it undermined international law and that any resolution to Venezuela’s crisis cannot be imposed externally.

Brégeon reported Macron as telling cabinet ministers: “We defend international law and the freedom of peoples. The method employed is neither supported nor approved.”

He further stressed that any political transition in Venezuela must involve the 2024 election winner, widely recognized as Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, rather than being imposed from the outside.

The US operation follows months of political unrest in Venezuela. Maduro, who was controversially proclaimed winner of the 2024 presidential election, faced deadly riots that were met with violent repression. His vice president, Delcy Rodriguez, has assumed interim control of the government and indicated a willingness to engage in “cooperation” with Washington. The Venezuelan military has pledged loyalty to Rodriguez.