Spain's Political Divide Deepens Over Venezuela Crisis and US Intervention

In a heated exchange in the Spanish Congress, Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares found himself at the center of a storm as he defended the government's position on the ongoing crisis in Venezuela amid aggressive attacks from right-wing parties. Albares emphasized that it was not the Spanish Government that placed Delcy Rodríguez in power but rather the actions of former President Donald Trump, who has been accused of imposing a government through armed intervention. The discourse escalated when Cayetana Álvarez de Toledo, spokesperson for the People's Party (PP), argued that the government was attempting to legitimize a regime supported by Trump, branding the leadership of Delcy Rodríguez as illegitimate. She accused the socialist government of humiliating itself by associating with a “torturer” and asserted that Trump’s intervention was a necessary action against criminal impunity in Venezuela. Albares retorted, reminding the assembly that the US military intervention was the true cause of the situation, and underscored the contradictions in the right-wing stance. He pointed out that the PP and Vox praised Trump's operations while denouncing the government for engaging with the interim president of Venezuela. "One cannot simultaneously defend democracy and support violent intervention," he noted, indicating a moral dilemma within the conservative parties’ positions. The debate also saw the PP's insistence on recognizing María Corina Machado as the legitimate leader of Venezuela, portraying the current government’s relationship with Rodríguez as an affront to democratic principles. Albares pressed the question of why they would desire an external imposition in Caracas, arguing for the importance of Venezuelans deciding their future without foreign influence. Moreover, the discussion shifted towards allegations involving former President José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero's attempts at mediating the Venezuelan crisis. Álvarez de Toledo and other right-wing politicians criticized him, accusing him of facilitating Chavista tyranny, a claim that prompted a vehement defense from the PSOE. Patxi López called out the hypocrisy, challenging the opposition to examine their own ties to drug trafficking, leading to further tensions. As the debate unfolded, leftist figures like ERC spokesperson Gabriel Rufián slammed Albares for his perceived cowardice, accusing him of not adequately condemning Nicolás Maduro's actions while critiquing Trump. Rufián's comments drew ire from Albares, who countered by emphasizing the complexity of international relations beyond mere Twitter statements. Meanwhile, the far-left party Podemos voiced its disapproval of US involvement, calling for the closure of American military bases in Spain and arguing against the perceived imposition of a fascist regime both domestically and internationally. Their leader Ione Belarra insisted that NATO's integrity was compromised and demanded a referendum on the presence of foreign military bases. The divisions within Spain’s political landscape on the issue not only reflect wider ideological battles but also the growing concern over foreign intervention in national sovereignty. As the crisis in Venezuela continues to unravel, the impact of international relations on Spain's domestic politics becomes increasingly pronounced, shaping the national narrative on democracy, legitimacy, and foreign policy. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2