Istanbul (TDI): Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Monday that he had spoken with US President Donald Trump, stressing that Venezuela should not spiral into chaos, following the recent US operation that removed Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro from power.
According to Erdogan, the two leaders discussed the operation in which Maduro was captured in Caracas and taken to the United States.
“Any action that undermines the sovereignty of a nation or breaches international law can create serious challenges for the global order,” Erdogan told reporters.
He added that “Venezuela must avoid descending into instability or disorder,” speaking to Turkish television after a cabinet meeting.
US forces bombed the Venezuelan capital on Saturday, ending Maduro’s 12-year tenure. Maduro appeared in a New York court on Monday, pleading not guilty to drug trafficking charges.
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Erdogan warned, “When force overrides the rule of law, it leads to crises and conflicts.” He emphasized Turkey’s commitment to acting in the best interests of both Turkey and the Venezuelan people, noting the longstanding friendship between the two nations.
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Separately, Erdogan expressed optimism that Trump would reconsider Turkiye’s exclusion from the F-35 fighter jet program, calling the previous decision “unfair.” Washington removed Turkiye from the program in 2019 and imposed sanctions after Ankara acquired the Russian S-400 missile system, but relations appear to be improving under Trump’s current administration.
