Pedro Sánchez Denounces Podemos Over Venezuelan Political Ties Amid Calls for Peaceful Resolution
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez criticizes Podemos for intertwining Venezuelan politics with Spanish affairs while calling for peaceful resolution to the Venezuelan crisis amid broader political tensions in Spain.
- • Pedro Sánchez condemns U.S. military intervention in Venezuela as illegitimate and dangerous.
- • Sánchez criticizes Podemos for inserting Venezuelan political issues into Spanish politics.
- • Plans announced to engage parliamentary groups on Venezuela and Ukraine-related matters.
- • PP criticizes Podemos allies’ recent statements on Venezuela, highlighting domestic political rifts.
- • Foreign Minister calls for respect of Zapatero's mediation efforts in Venezuela.
Key details
In his first official statement of 2026, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez sharply criticized Podemos for integrating Venezuelan political issues into Spain’s domestic political discourse. Sánchez condemned the recent U.S. military intervention in Venezuela as "illegitimate" and "dangerous," emphasizing the need for peaceful resolution respecting Venezuela’s sovereignty and international law. He announced plans to engage in discussions with key parliamentary groups on the Venezuelan crisis and the potential involvement of Spanish forces in Ukraine during a ceasefire.
Sánchez’s remarks come amid heightened political tensions within Spain, contrasting with Podemos’ direct links to Venezuelan politics, which the Prime Minister has previously criticized. He reaffirmed his position as a defender of Venezuelan sovereignty within Europe, arguing that any resolution to the crisis must avoid the kind of military aggression that threatens global security.
Meanwhile, the Spanish political environment remains charged, with Beatriz Llaneza of the PP denouncing Adrián Barbón's recent comments labeling Venezuela as a "brutal dictatorship," accusing him of opportunism. Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares urged respect for former Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero's mediation efforts in Venezuela, which began in 2015 and have had bipartisan recognition. These internal disputes highlight the complexity Spain faces in balancing domestic political narratives with international diplomacy.
Additionally, broader government activities were reported on January 7, 2026, including the authorization of 1.728 billion euros in debt for Galicia and proposals concerning regional financing negotiations. Economic indicators show a 1% GDP growth as Spain navigates both internal and external challenges.
Pedro Sánchez’s positioning reiterates Spain’s stance against foreign military interventions in Venezuela, calling instead for dialogue and respect for the Venezuelan people’s will, while confronting political factions within Spain that complicate this diplomatic posture.
This article was synthesized and translated from native language sources to provide English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
