Spain escalated its opposition to the U.S. military capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on January 3, 2026, by addressing the UN Security Council and coordinating an EU statement, while Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez prioritized a European summit over a domestic military event.
Building on the joint Ibero-American condemnation issued on January 4 by Spain, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Uruguay—which rejected the U.S. operation as a violation of sovereignty and international law—Spain took further diplomatic steps.
At a UN Security Council session in New York, Spain's representative Héctor Gómez warned that the intervention sets a 'problematic precedent for regional peace and security,' emphasizing Venezuela's sovereignty over its resources and the need for cooperative anti-crime efforts. Spain, which has not recognized Maduro's 2025 election and has criticized Venezuelan human rights issues, stressed that democracy cannot be imposed by force.
Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares described the action as 'contrary to international law' and a 'dangerous precedent,' crediting Spain with shaping a critical EU statement from 26 of 27 members (excluding Hungary). Albares advocated dialogue for a peaceful resolution and ongoing engagement with interim leader Delcy Rodríguez.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez skipped the traditional Pascua Militar event with King Felipe VI to attend a European summit in Paris, aligning with leaders like Brazil's Lula and Colombia's Petro in condemning the U.S. action. Sánchez highlighted Spain's defense of peace, sovereignty, and a rules-based order, drawing parallels to other global crises.
Domestically, Albares criticized opposition leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo of the PP for a 'ridiculous' stance outside the international consensus, while Culture Minister Ernest Urtasun accused the PP of partisanship.
