Spain Defends Venezuela’s Natural Resources Sovereignty

(MENAFN) On Wednesday, Spain declared that Venezuela’s natural wealth belongs to its citizens and cautioned that any effort to weaken state sovereignty could establish a troubling precedent for the international order based on rules.

In an interview with a news agency, Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares emphasized that authority over natural resources is a fundamental aspect of sovereignty and must be honored.

Natural resources "belong to the Venezuelan people,” Albares stated, stressing they are “part of a state’s sovereignty.”

He noted that recent developments in Caracas represent "a very dangerous precedent" for global norms, warning that undermining sovereignty over natural wealth could destabilize international relations.

Albares reaffirmed Spain’s rejection of any use of force or outside interference in Venezuela, highlighting Madrid’s backing for a peaceful and democratic resolution led by Venezuelans themselves.

“Spain supports a broad dialogue between the government and the opposition, a peaceful, democratic and genuinely Venezuelan solution,” he said.

He further mentioned that Spain is prepared to assist mediation “whenever the parties deem it useful.”

Albares underlined that Spain’s strategy in Latin America is to serve as a connector between different actors rather than escalate tensions.

He also warned against attempts to alter borders through force, firmly dismissing rhetoric about a possible US move to seize Greenland, and expressed full solidarity with Denmark.

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