The possible removal of President Maduro from Venezuela by military means is not an option for the European Union (EU). This is according to a spokesperson for Federica Mogherini, EU High Representative for Foreign and Defense Policy, said Monday.
BRUSSELS, WILLEMSTAD - The previously announced 'humanitarian hub', which the Netherlands currently organizes in Curaçao at the request of the United States, is therefore accompanied by a treaty between the Netherlands and the United States that no military actions will take place from there. It is a purely civil operation. This way the anxiety in Curaçao for a military conflict is removed.
The Council of Ministers of the autonomous country within the Kingdom has already agreed with the hub. It has been agreed that the Netherlands and Curaçao will work closely together. The vulnerable Curaçao does not want to be a party in the conflict with Maduro. There is also intensive contact with Aruba and Bonaire, the other Caribbean islands off the coast of Venezuela.
The Netherlands has voted for President of Parliament Juan Guaidó as the only democratic representative of Venezuela since he declared himself interim president on 23 January. He must be given the opportunity to issue new elections. The election with which Maduro extended his presidency for six years in May 2018 has been irregular according to America and the EU.
Meanwhile, the situation in the country escalates further and further. The boundaries are closed, help is not allowed. In addition to the estimated 3.4 million Venezuelans who have fled the country, 3.6 million inhabitants are drifting in their own country. They are internally displaced in humanitarian terms. Between 12 and 20 million Venezuelans suffer from hunger. Food aid is urgently needed, as is safe drinking water and medicines. The situation is especially acute for children.
Maduro
The Netherlands currently has three emergency aid coordinators in Curaçao. The hub is not yet filled with relief goods. They are expected to arrive later in the week. In the meantime, logistics is being worked on so that relief goods can go to Venezuela as quickly as possible if Maduro gives permission for this. He represents the ruling authority, even though the Netherlands no longer recognizes him. No action can be taken without his consent.
Last weekend, the opposition tried to get aid supplies from neighboring Colombia to the border with Venezuela. It led to battles with the order troops of Maduro. Trucks with food and medicines went up in flames. The attempts failed.
In the European context, an international contact group is trying to arrive at a political solution. Guaidó is on Monday for consultations in Colombia. He conducts consultations with American Vice President Mike Pence and with representatives from other Central and South American countries. Unlike the EU, the Americans do not seem to exclude a military intervention in advance.
Ideal transit port
If Maduro opens the borders at any time for help, Curaçao is the ideal transit port for humanitarian aid because of its geographical location. Then the United Nations and the Red Cross will also have a visible role. They now remain under the radar, because Maduro also tries to make it impossible for these organizations to work.
