Under pressure from political class critics and commentators, French President Emmanuel Macron changed his analysis regarding the situation in Venezuela. Initially, he expressed joy for the "end of Maduro's dictatorship," but was quickly criticized, including by members of his own camp, for ignoring international law.
In a new statement, Macron emphasized that France does not support the methods used by the US to capture Maduro and reaffirmed the importance of respecting international law. Strong criticism came from leaders of the French left, who accused the government of subordination to the US.
Commentators also pointed out that Macron's position was welcomed by Donald Trump, which raised concerns about France's image on the international stage. Macron was accused of abandoning diplomatic heritage and that Europe missed an opportunity to assert itself as an independent actor in global politics.
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