Eagle Intelligence Reports

Macron Clarifies Comments on US Operation Against Maduro

Eagle Intelligence Reports • January 5, 2026 •

French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday said he “neither supported nor approved” the US military operation to grab Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, a government spokesperson said.

His comment clarified an initial public reaction Macron made that Venezuelans “can only rejoice” at Maduro’s overthrow.

That first reaction drew criticism from several political figures in France, some of whom saw the French president as kowtowing to US President Donald Trump.

On Monday, government spokeswoman Maud Bregeon reported Macron as telling cabinet ministers, “We defend international law and the freedom of peoples. The method employed is neither supported nor approved.”

She said Macron added that, for Venezuela, “if there is to be a transition, then the 2024 winner must obviously play a central role in it”. (AFP)