Rome, 4 January (LaPresse) – ‘The news coming out of Venezuela marks a moment of profound uncertainty for the Venezuelan people and for international stability and security. This situation cannot be reduced to a binary choice between condemnation and support. It reveals a deeper change in an emerging world order in which force is normalised and the law is instrumentalised.’ This was stated by the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Alain Berset, in a declaration. ‘As a regional multilateral organisation dedicated to democracy, human rights and the rule of law, the Council of Europe believes that any use of force on the territory of another state raises serious questions from the point of view of international law, including the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter on sovereignty, territorial integrity and non-interference,’ says Berset. ‘The Council of Europe knows, thanks to its engagement in Ukraine, how fragile international law becomes once the use of force is normalised. That is why consistency and credibility are important,’ the statement continued. "The transition in Venezuela must be peaceful, democratic and respectful of the will of the Venezuelan people. Democracy can only prevail if it is claimed by the Venezuelan people themselves, through an inclusive political process, credible elections and the restoration of democratic institutions that enjoy public trust. The Council of Europe knows, thanks to its involvement in Ukraine, how fragile international law becomes once the use of force is normalised. That is why consistency and credibility are essential. The transition in Venezuela must be peaceful, democratic and respectful of the will of the Venezuelan people. Democracy can only prevail if it is claimed by Venezuelans themselves, through an inclusive political process, credible elections and the restoration of democratic institutions that enjoy public trust. The risk today is a deepening polarisation in Venezuela, across the region and globally between those who condemn a serious violation of international law and those who consider it justified. These divisions weaken the foundations of international security. Whether we call it regime change or foreign influence, too often different standards are applied, shaped by strategic interests or ideological proximity rather than shared and consistent legal principles. International law is universal, otherwise it makes no sense. Democracy is resilient when it is freely chosen, institutionally protected and based on the rule of law. A world governed by exceptions, double standards or competing spheres of influence is a more dangerous world.
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