The growing US military presence in waters near Venezuela, including a nuclear submarine and the US Navy’s most advanced aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald Ford, has prompted calls for restraint from the European Union . Faced with actions taken by Washington against alleged drug trafficking networks, the official position in Berlin is one of caution and a firm call for de-escalation and diplomatic dialogue.

While countries like France and Spain have expressed their rejection of the US operations, and the United Kingdom has reportedly stopped sharing intelligence to avoid conflicts with international law, Germany has been more measured in its statements. Federal Foreign Office spokesman Josef Hinterseher emphasized on Tuesday that, for the German government, “from our point of view, the important thing is that these issues are resolved through dialogue between Venezuela and the United States.”

Hinterseher insisted that it is Washington’s responsibility to explain the legal basis for its actions, stating that “international law provides the framework, and any action must be taken within the framework of international law.” He added, " It is up to the parties involved to demonstrate whether and how this is the case."

Faced with the US threat, Venezuelan authorities have responded to military pressure by recruiting civilian militias and deploying troops. At an international forum of jurists held in Caracas, President Nicolás Maduro denounced the actions of the United States as an aggression affecting all of humanity and reaffirmed his government’s commitment to peace. During the event, legal experts from various countries analyzed the situation, even proposing a complaint against the US president before the International Criminal Court.

Germany’s position this week calls for international appeals to the United States to respect international law, albeit cautiously, so as not to openly question the actions of its transatlantic ally.