How US Intervention in Venezuela Impacts Turkey Ties

WISE NEWS PRESS / ANKARA, TÜRKİYE

The detention of Nicolas Maduro by US forces and the subsequent declaration of a temporary US-led administration in Venezuela have cast a shadow over the strategic partnership fostered between Ankara and Caracas under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

President Erdogan, during a recent call with US President Donald Trump, emphasized that violating the sovereign rights of nations risks "serious global complications." Experts suggest that these developments could destabilize Turkey's strongest diplomatic foothold in Latin America, a relationship that solidified following the 2016 coup attempt in Turkey under the banner of "anti-interventionism."

Economic Channels and the Gold Trade at Risk

Turkey remained one of the few nations to maintain robust diplomatic and economic ties with Caracas during its period of global isolation. Central to this relationship was the processing of Venezuelan gold in Turkey—a move that bypassed traditional Swiss routes due to sanctions—and direct flight routes established by Turkish Airlines. While trade volume reached $1 billion in 2022, the collapse of the Maduro administration leaves the future of bilateral energy agreements and financial corridors in a state of flux.

Pragmatic Transition vs. Diplomatic Isolation

Academic Melike Hocaoğlu Çağlıöz suggests that if Vice President Delcy Rodriguez manages a "pragmatic transition" in Caracas, existing state-to-state continuity might be preserved. However, former diplomat Namık Tan warns that if Ankara fails to respond with enough diplomatic vigor, it may be perceived by other Latin American nations as "abandoning" its partners. Tan argues that Turkey’s most rational path forward is to participate in European-led mediation efforts to prevent total US unilateral control over the country.

Exile Claims and Ankara’s Denial

The situation has been further complicated by claims from US Senator Lindsey Graham, who stated that Maduro "could have been in luxury exile in Turkey" but chose to stay and was subsequently arrested. These claims, echoed by major US newspapers, were firmly denied by President Erdogan. Following a party group meeting, Erdogan told reporters, "There is no such thing. We have received no such news," as officials worry that Turkey being labeled a "haven for exiled politicians" could create new friction points with Washington.

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Source: BBC