Yılmaz Tunç responds to Özgür Özel regarding Maduro

Minister of Justice Yılmaz Tunç has issued a statement in response to criticisms regarding President and AKP Chairman Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s silence on the operation conducted by the U.S. against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

Emphasizing that Turkey's foreign policy is based on international law and the national will, Tunç stated that they do not accept an approach that has surrendered to power centers. Minister Tunç noted that President Erdoğan always acts with a focus on justice and fairness in global crises and voices his criticisms of the international system on every platform.

Addressing Özgür Özel’s criticism of Erdoğan regarding Venezuela via social media, Tunç stated that this stance was both impolite and irresponsible. In his statement, he included the following remarks: “Turkey’s foreign policy bears the traces of a deep-rooted civilization and reflects a principled state understanding. This area is not a ground that can be exploited with daily polemics.”

Minister Tunç further emphasized that Turkey will continue to act within the framework of legitimacy and international law under all circumstances and will continue to pursue constructive policies in the resolution of crises.

Özgür Özel had previously criticized President Erdoğan’s silence in the face of the U.S. intervention in Venezuela with the following words:

“Take a good look at this photo, Mr. Erdoğan!

You used to say, ‘Maduro was the first to call me on July 15.’

You would call out, ‘My brother Maduro, stand tall, we are with you,’ and send support.

When Maduro held unfair elections and treated his own people unjustly, you stood behind him by calling him ‘my brother.’ You were wrong then, too.

But your friend Trump came, trampled on international law, took your brother Maduro from his bedroom along with his wife, and is taking him away with his hands and eyes bound.

Now, how tragic it is that you are silent in the face of this photo.

When you needed to defend democracy, you defended Maduro; now, when you need to defend the world order, with your silence, you are defending Trump’s coup against another country.

Because you are afraid of Trump, whom you feel you need.

This is the extent of your commitment to democracy, your friendship, and your brotherhood!”