«We believe that the use of military interventions is not suitable to resolve the issues. But at the same time the US intervention is legitimate, given the threat they perceived.” Thus the Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani, guest of RTL 102.5commenting on the situation in Venezuela after the capture of President Nicolas Maduro.
The position on the US intervention
According to Tajani, the legitimacy of the American action could also emerge during the trial of the former Venezuelan president, “also given the super witness who will be presented, namely the former head of the Venezuelan secret services”. The minister then underlined how drug trafficking represents “not only an instrument of economic interest, but also a means of attacking other countries”, adding that “to protect one’s own security, the intervention becomes legitimate”.
Democratic transition and rights
For the head of the Farnesina, the priority is now political: “We must work for a democratic transition and so that the Venezuelan people can experience a new season of democracy, freedom and respect for the rule of law.” Tajani highlighted how over the years there have been “very few who have forcefully denounced the crimes committed by Maduro’s dictatorship”, defining the current phase as “a moment of freedom” for Venezuela.
The protection of Italians
Finally, the deputy prime minister drew attention to the Italian community in the South American country: «The Italian community in Venezuela is one of the largest communities of compatriots abroad. We must work to ensure the safety of our compatriots, but also for the release of Italian political prisoners.” Tajani cited in particular the case of Alberto Trentini, “the last of the Italians arrested”.