Statement on the US war against Venezuela

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The AStA of HTW Berlin and the IJV-HTW Berlin are aware of the authoritarian, anti-democratic, and in some cases illegal actions of the government under Nicolás Maduro and expressly do not intend to defend or relativize them.

At the same time, it should be noted that the current military attacks by the United States are not primarily aimed at protecting the Venezuelan population or promoting democratic participation, but are largely motivated by geostrategic and economic interests. In this sense, the attack must be regarded as an imperialist war of aggression. [1]

Democracy cannot be enforced by external military force. The right of peoples to self-determination is a central principle of international law and the international order. Only the Venezuelan people themselves have the right to decide on the political, social, and economic path of their country. No state and no external power is justified in carrying out military attacks under the pretext of democratic values in order to assert its own interests. Regardless of the government in power, such attacks are regularly not in the interests of the population affected. [2]

According to numerous reports, the US carried out a series of military operations on and over Venezuelan territory in 2025, resulting in civilian casualties, among other things. These began with intensive air and sea attacks on alleged drug targets, continued with a naval blockade and the seizure of Venezuelan ships, and escalated in early January 2026 into a large-scale military offensive that included air strikes on Caracas and culminated in the arrest of the Venezuelan president. [3]

The US officially justifies its actions with the fight against drug cartels, security policy, and the goal of promoting democracy. US President Trump later confirmed that the US would “lead” Venezuela until a “safe and orderly transition” was possible. Critics see these measures as a strategy for regime change and the enforcement of economic interests, especially in the energy sector. [4]

Experts in international law argue that there is no clear legal basis for this military war of aggression and that it was carried out without a mandate from the UN Security Council or a directly justified case of self-defense, which may constitute a violation of the prohibition of the use of force under UN law. [5]

Against this backdrop, the AStA of HTW Berlin declares:

1. Defense of international law: Military attacks that violate international law undermine the principle of sovereign equality of all states. The sovereignty of each state and the principle of peaceful conflict resolution are cornerstones of international law that must not be compromised. Furthermore, the attack against Venezuela shows that the US is prepared to violate international law in order to pursue its own geostrategic and economic interests.
2. Peaceful conflict resolution: Conflicts must be resolved through diplomatic negotiations, multilateral institutions, and with respect for human rights. Violence leads to suffering, destabilization, and long-term geopolitical tensions.
3. Solidarity with those affected: The AStA of HTW Berlin reaffirms its solidarity with Venezuelan students, civil society actors, and international students at our university who are directly or indirectly affected by the political and social consequences of this crisis.
4. Appeal to German politicians: The AStA of HTW Berlin calls on the federal government and German parliaments to take a clear position based on international law, to promote dialogue and de-escalation, and to provide humanitarian support for affected civilian populations. In addition, the AStA calls on the federal government not to apply double standards and to refrain from assessing violations of international law differently based on its own geostrategic interests.
5. Promotion of student discussions: The AStA of HTW Berlin will support suitable formats (podium discussions, workshops, information events) in order to analyze and discuss the complex geopolitical, legal, and social dimensions of this conflict objectively together with the student body.

The AStA of HTW Berlin and IJV-HTW-Berlin stand for a peaceful, just, and international law-compliant world order. We call on all university groups, students, and teachers to work for peace, international understanding, and solidarity.

Footnotes
[1] https://www.deutschlandfunk.de/trump-venezuela-maduro-drogen-oel-angriff-100.html
[2] https://www.handelsblatt.com/politik/international/venezuela-wie-der-friedenspraesident-zum-besatzer-wurde/100188335.html
[3] https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/venezuelas-interior-minister-says-100-people-died-us-attack-2026-01-08
[4] https://www.cfr.org/article/operation-southern-spear-us-military-campaign-targeting-venezuela
[5] https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/un-chief-venezuela-us-action-sets-dangerous-precedent-2026-01-03/