Madrid hosted the first meeting this year of the Spanish Council of Ministers. The atmosphere was tense: following recent developments in Latin America and high-profile statements out of Washington, the Spanish government found itself at the center of international attention. The issues of Venezuela and the fate of its natural resources became the main topics of discussion.
The ministers gathered just days after the United States (Estados Unidos) struck Venezuela, leading to the capture of Nicolás Maduro. US President Donald Trump not only made strong statements about controlling Venezuelan oil, but also unexpectedly mentioned a possible annexation of Greenland. Spain’s cabinet could not ignore these events.
Spain’s stance
At the press conference following the meeting, Elma Saiz, official government spokesperson and Minister for Inclusion, Social Security, and Migration, was the first to speak. She stressed that Spain will continue to advocate for a peaceful and democratic resolution to the Venezuelan crisis. According to her, Madrid will insist that all sides respect international law, regardless of external pressure.
Saiz emphasized that Spain does not intend to back away from its principles. “We will continue to support democratic processes and respect for nations’ sovereignty,” she said. Her words were a clear reference to recent US actions and their attempts to influence the distribution of resources in Latin America.
Economy and resources
Minister of Economy Carlos Cuerpo and Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares also took part in the discussions. Particular attention was paid to the issue of control over Venezuela’s natural resources. Albares stated explicitly that the country’s resources belong to its people, not to outside players. His remarks were clearly aimed at Washington, which, according to Trump, expects to receive 50 million barrels of Venezuelan oil.
“The right to manage one’s own resources is the foundation of sovereignty,” Albares emphasized in an interview with national radio. He reminded that any attempts at external interference in Venezuela’s economy run counter to international norms. According to him, Spain will insist that the interests of Venezuelans are not sacrificed for geopolitical games.
International context
The situation around Venezuela has become a litmus test for all of Europe. Spain, as the former colonial power, feels a particular responsibility for developments in the region. At the same time, Madrid is not willing to accept that the fate of Latin American countries is decided without their involvement. Government insiders admit: the current crisis is not only about oil, but also about the very principles on which the modern world order is based.
However, Spanish ministers have gone beyond making statements. In the coming days, consultations with European partners and diplomatic moves on the international stage are expected. Madrid plans to use all available tools to prevent escalation of the conflict and to protect the interests of both Venezuela and Spain itself.
The Spanish perspective
Personally, I believe that Spain has taken a surprisingly firm stance this time. Usually, Madrid prefers to navigate between the interests of major players, but now its rhetoric has become much tougher. This may be linked to domestic political changes or a desire to reclaim its place as one of the leaders in European diplomacy. In any case, the situation is developing rapidly, and in the coming weeks we are sure to see new and unexpected developments.