Bucharest, January 4, 2026 – The Europe Today: Romania is in close coordination with its European Union partners regarding the situation in Venezuela and has discussed alignment on a joint statement in preparation for deliberations at the United Nations Security Council, Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Țoiu said.
Speaking on the issue, Țoiu said bringing Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to justice could help curb the growing problem of drug trafficking, offer Venezuelans a path toward prosperity, and reinforce international rules through diplomatic engagement.
“The decision to bring Nicolas Maduro to justice can stop the growing scourge of drug trafficking, it can give Venezuelans a chance at a good future in prosperity, but it is also a decision that brings us to the table of diplomatic discussions to reaffirm and protect international rules,” she said.
The foreign minister noted that Romania is particularly attentive to developments in Venezuela, where a small but significant community with Romanian roots resides. She stressed that the safety of Romanian citizens remains the top priority.
“Romanian diplomatic and consular missions in Latin America are prepared to provide assistance in case of need, together with the permanent EU mission,” Țoiu said, adding that EU member states have, in recent hours, initiated a common process of mutual information-sharing and consular assistance.
Țoiu called for restraint and accountability from Venezuelan authorities and voiced support for the swift initiation of steps toward restoring democracy, which she described as a consistent demand of Venezuelan citizens.
She also referred to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado, a recent Nobel Peace Prize laureate, saying she has been forced into clandestinity by the Maduro government. According to Țoiu, such actions reflect fear of democratic will, adding that “brutal regimes cannot go on forever.”
The Romanian foreign minister reiterated that Romania and the European Union share a strong commitment to combating drug trafficking and organized crime, which she described as a major threat to collective security.
She further noted that the European Union, with Romania’s participation, has established sanctions regimes against what she described as the undemocratic government in Caracas, including measures imposed following what she termed the deeply flawed presidential elections held in July 2024. The European Union and Romania, she emphasized, do not recognize Nicolas Maduro as the legitimate president of Venezuela.
