Greece: storm of political reactions over Mitsotakis’ statement on Venezuela

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ public statement on the dramatic developments in Venezuela has sparked intense political backlash in Greece, amid growing international concern over the U.S. military operation that led to the arrest of Nicolás Maduro.

Critics from across the opposition spectrum have accused the prime minister of sidestepping the critical issue of the actions’ legality, arguing that this undermines Greece’s longstanding commitment to international law and its foreign policy principles.

In his remarks, Mitsotakis described the Maduro regime as a “brutal and repressive dictatorship” that inflicted immense suffering on the Venezuelan people. He expressed hope that its downfall would open new prospects for the country but carefully added that “this is not the moment to comment on the legality of the recent actions.”

Instead, he prioritized calls for a peaceful transition, alignment with the European Union and the UN Security Council, and the protection of Greek citizens in Venezuela.

The response from opposition parties was swift and severe. Centre-left PASOK labeled the statement “shameful and deeply problematic,” with spokesperson Dimitris Mantzos arguing that refraining from judging the legality of a military intervention erodes the foundation of Greek foreign policy—particularly as Greece currently serves as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council and relies on international law to protect its own national interests. Mantzos pointedly asked whether such “silence” would be acceptable in cases like Russia’s invasion of Ukraine or Turkey’s occupation of Cyprus.

Leftist SYRIZA’s criticism was even harsher, calling the prime minister’s position “unthinkable” and insisting that international legality cannot be applied selectively or confined to specific regions. Party officials warned that tolerating or downplaying military interventions—especially those tied to Donald Trump’s policies—risks sliding into a dangerous “law of the strong” mindset, which could weaken Greece’s stance against revisionist powers in the Eastern Mediterranean.

The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) condemned the statement as “cynical and despicable,” accusing the government of legitimizing imperialist interventions and fully aligning with U.S. rhetoric. The party argued that this approach not only harms the Venezuelan people but also sets dangerous precedents that could be invoked in other contexts, such as the ongoing situation in Cyprus.

The New Left echoed these concerns, describing the stance as a perilous departure from Greek foreign policy traditions. Party leader Alexis Charitsis called it subservient and cautioned that prioritizing political expediency over international legality could backfire on issues vital to Greece’s national security, especially given the country’s active role in UN bodies.

Former Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras also weighed in, framing the Venezuela events within a broader crisis of the international order where the “law of the strong” is gaining ground over established norms. He criticized Europe’s apparent weakness in asserting an independent role and warned that Greece risks significant vulnerabilities by abandoning a multifaceted foreign policy in favor of uncritical alliance with powerful partners.

In defense, Government Spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis dismissed the opposition’s attacks, particularly from SYRIZA and PASOK. He characterized SYRIZA’s reaction as predictable, citing its alleged historical ties to the Maduro regime, and faulted PASOK for failing to acknowledge Maduro’s dictatorial rule—a point emphasized by European leaders. Marinakis accused the opposition of letting “shallowness and ideological fixations” override the responsibility demanded by the current global landscape.

The ferocity of these reactions underscores that Mitsotakis’ comments are viewed not merely as a response to a distant crisis but as indicative of a potential shift in Greece’s approach to international legality. In an era of escalating geopolitical tensions, the debate raises a fundamental question: Does this position ultimately bolster or undermine Greece’s standing in a world where actions set lasting precedents?

Great news! It sounds like Greek PM 🇬🇷 #Mitsotakis won't be complaining about the legality of Turkish actions in the #Aegean, #Thrace, #Cyprus, etc. Greece doesn't care about int'l law anymore. pic.twitter.com/WQ8CL1n1QF
— Turkish Century (@TurkishCentury) January 3, 2026

Caption: Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis attends a joint press conference after a trilateral meeting at the Citadel of David Hotel in Jerusalem, 22 December 2025. The leaders of Israel, Greece, and Cyprus met to reaffirm their strategic partnership and discuss deepening cooperation in regional security, energy infrastructure, and defense. EPA/ABIR SULTAN / POOL