International Law Is A Castle In The Sky

Speech given to the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Second Chamber of the Netherlands’ States-General, 9 January 2026

Chair,

The direction of the United States in geopolitical flashpoints such as Ukraine, Gaza and Iran has so far been somewhat ambiguous and confusing. On the one hand, strong statements and financial and military involvement; on the other, good diplomatic contacts and cordial conversations.

The National Security Strategy published a few weeks ago provided some direction, certainly with regard to the Western Hemisphere. But the question remained how this would be put into practice.

The recent American action in Venezuela appears to demonstrate that the US is serious in its own backyard. President Maduro and his family were forcibly removed from their palace in Caracas by a special military unit and taken to the United States to stand trial for terrorism, drug trafficking and weapons offences. According to reports, dozens of people were killed during the operation, mainly among Maduro’s bodyguards.

For the time being, the current Venezuelan vice-president has taken over leadership with the approval of the US, and the present government has largely remained in office.

A remarkable formula. Much remains unclear. It is not an invasion, not even a genuine regime change, but a forced change of personnel. How this will develop is uncertain and highly risky.

This spectacular American action is, of course, incompatible with international legal rules as laid down in the UN Charter and the associated body of international jurisprudence.

Much can be said about the Maduro government, but Venezuela did not constitute a serious threat to the United States. The United Nations was not involved in this matter in advance. Although the UN Security Council did convene in an emergency session afterwards, this is of merely symbolic significance given the US veto.

Chair, these events show that international law, or if you prefer “the rules-based international order”, is ultimately subordinate to international power politics, the law of the strongest. In words, this power politics is now being articulated quite openly by the Trump administration. In deeds, it has so far been limited to restrained military interventions.

As the Netherlands, we have no significant influence on the geopolitical dynamics described. But for our country these events are nevertheless important for several reasons. First of all, Venezuela is our neighbour in the Caribbean, particularly with regard to Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao. Disruptions in Venezuela quickly affect the situation in the Caribbean Netherlands. In this context, it is wise for the Netherlands not to take a strong position immediately, but to await further developments, to advocate stability in the region, and, where possible, to remain on standby in various fields to support the local Dutch population.

Secondly, these geopolitical events once again confront us with reality. Dutch authorities have traditionally been passionate advocates of international law and order. In recent years they have therefore presented themselves more than ever as ideological frontrunners within the EU and NATO.

Now that the Trump administration is intervening in Venezuela and is also seriously considering annexing Greenland, it appears that the EU and NATO, along with their elevated moral and ideological framework, may well be castles in the air. It also becomes clear that developing our own strength and maintaining constructive foreign relations with all parties must ultimately form the basis of Dutch foreign policy.

Realism, a sober focus on national interest and foresight are essential in foreign policy. These are matters to which we must once again give the attention they deserve.

Thank you.