Erdogan conveys moderate criticism of Maduro abduction in Trump phone call

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan cautiously criticised the abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Monday, saying that Ankara opposes all violations of international law.

“We do not condone any action that violates international law,” Erdogan said following a cabinet meeting. “The violation of nations’ sovereign rights and the trampling of international law are risky steps that can lead to serious complications globally.”

Erdogan and Maduro have maintained a close relationship since 2016, when Maduro called Erdogan to express his support for the leader following the attempted military coup against the Turkish government.

However, the Turkish government initially took a more muted approach over the weekend, releasing only a brief foreign ministry statement expressing support for Venezuela's efforts to maintain stability. Erdogan avoided commenting on the issue throughout the weekend despite several public opportunities to address it.

Erdogan and US President Donald Trump have cultivated a friendly relationship during Trump's second term, in contrast to strained Turkey-US relations under Democratic President Joe Biden. 

On Saturday, Turkish opposition leader Ozgur Ozel said that Erdogan was afraid of the US president and was avoiding criticism of him to avoid angering Trump.

In response, Erdogan said he raised the issue of Venezuela during a phone call with Trump on Monday.

“During my phone call with US President Mr Trump, I clearly conveyed our country’s sensitivities on the matter,” he said. “I particularly emphasised that Venezuela must not be driven into instability.”

Without naming anyone directly, Erdogan described the abduction of Maduro as a “saddening” event.

“Regarding the issue of Venezuela, our efforts are focused on doing what is best and most right both for Turkey and for the friendly people of Venezuela,” he said. “President Maduro and the Venezuelan people have repeatedly shown that they are friends of our nation.”

Erdogan added that Turkey would continue to support Venezuela and take steps in the country's best interests.

Several reports suggested that the United States had offered Maduro exile in Turkey in November, a claim confirmed by US Senator Lindsey Graham early on Monday during a press briefing with Trump standing next to him.

US attack on Venezuela: Social media slams US abduction of Nicolas Maduro

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The death count from the US attack on Venezuela has risen to 80, including civilians and members of security forces, according to a senior Venezuelan official who said the number could rise further, The New York Times reported. 

'Not guilty' plea in NYC

US special forces abducted Venezuelan President Maduro from the capital, Caracas, early on Saturday, as American fighter jets bombed key military installations and bases across the country.

Venezuela's acting president, Delcy Rodriguez, said the US abduction of Nicolas Maduro had "Zionist undertones". 

Rodriguez, who served as Maduro's vice president, has been appointed by the Supreme Court to lead the country on an interim basis.

Speaking in a televised address on Saturday, Rodriguez said: "Governments around the world are shocked that the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela has become the victim and target of an attack of this nature, which undoubtedly has Zionist undertones."

Maduro made his first court appearance in the US in New York City on Monday, entering a not guilty plea to charges that include narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, possession of machine guns and destructive devices and conspiracy to possess machine guns and destructive devices.

Cilia Flores, Maduro's wife, was abducted alongside the Venezuelan president. She is accused of ordering kidnappings, murders, and accepting bribes in 2007 to arrange a meeting between drug traffickers and the director of Venezuela’s national anti-drug office.