Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday that he had told his US counterpart, Donald Trump, that Venezuela must not collapse into chaos, following the United States’ removal of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.
Erdogan revealed that he spoke with Trump over the phone regarding the US operation that led to Maduro’s capture in Caracas and subsequent transfer to the United States.
“Any attack on the sovereignty of the people and any violation of international law will generate serious complications within the international order,” Erdogan said, adding, “Venezuela must not descend into chaos or instability,” during remarks to Turkish television after a cabinet meeting.
US forces on Saturday carried out a military operation in Caracas that ousted Maduro, ending his 12-year rule. Maduro pleaded not guilty in a New York court on Monday to charges of drug trafficking.
“When force prevails over law, instability, crises, and conflicts ensue,” Erdogan warned. He added that Turkey is committed to acting in the best interests of both the nation and the Venezuelan people, noting, “Mr Maduro and the Venezuelan people have repeatedly demonstrated their friendship toward our nation.”
Erdogan’s comments underline Turkey’s stance on the Venezuelan crisis and its emphasis on respecting international law while avoiding the destabilisation of the country.
