Remarkable statement on Maduro from AKP Spokesperson Ömer Çelik! Harsh words for CHP leader Özgür Özel...

The US launched an attack on Venezuela yesterday. As a result of the operation, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife were abducted by the US and brought to New York.

The events in Venezuela have also found a wide place in Turkish politics. CHP Chairman Özgür Özel, "You are silent today in the face of the Maduro you defended yesterday" reacted to AKP Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan with these words.

The response to Özel's words from the AKP was not delayed. Making a statement on his social media account, AKP Spokesperson Ömer Çelik both made evaluations regarding the events in Venezuela and responded to CHP leader Özel.

Çelik stated that the foundation of the political line of President Erdoğan and the AKP is based on international law, the sovereignty of countries, and an understanding of legitimacy based on the will of the people.

Stating that they view the developments in Venezuela within the framework of these principles, Çelik underlined that the Venezuelan people are the sole owners of political sovereignty. Stating that targeting a country's sovereignty and violating international law can never be accepted, Çelik used the expression, "The political title deed of a country belongs only to the people of that country."

Directing harsh criticisms at CHP Chairman Özgür Özel in his statement, Ömer Çelik described the opposition's primary reflex of directing rhetoric at President Erdoğan as "grave and unhealthy." Claiming that the opposition has no experience in foreign policy management, Çelik stated that complaining about Turkey and viewing crises as merely producing rhetoric is irresponsible.

Our President and our AK Party have always been defenders of international law, the legitimate sovereignty of countries, and territorial integrity. The principles that 'THE LEGITIMACY OF GOVERNMENTS IS BASED ON THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE' and that 'LEGITIMATE GOVERNMENT CHANGE IN A COUNTRY IS A DEMOCRATIC RIGHT BELONGING SOLELY TO THE PEOPLE OF THAT COUNTRY'...

— Ömer Çelik (@omerrcelik) January 4, 2026

The full text of Çelik's statement is as follows:

"Our President and our AK Party have always been defenders of international law, the legitimate sovereignty of countries, and territorial integrity. The principles that 'THE LEGITIMACY OF GOVERNMENTS IS BASED ON THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE' and that 'LEGITIMATE GOVERNMENT CHANGE IN A COUNTRY IS A DEMOCRATIC RIGHT BELONGING SOLELY TO THE PEOPLE OF THAT COUNTRY' are the axis of our President's and our AK Party's political life. We do not approve of any development that violates these principles. The greatest companion in the political journey of our President and our AK Party is political legitimacy. We do not condone any action that targets the principles of political legitimacy and violates international law." 

Our perspective regarding the events in Venezuela is based on these principles. We underscore that the people of Venezuela are the sole owners of political sovereignty in their country. 

We view 'political legitimacy' not through the eyes of power centers, but through the lens of 'political legitimacy' toward power centers. Targeting the sovereignty belonging to a country's people and violating international law is in no way acceptable. The 'POLITICAL TITLE DEED' of a country belongs only and exclusively to the people of that country. 'Legitimate sovereignty' is a will that can only be built by the people of that country; it cannot be imposed from the outside. The existence of the international order and international law is necessary for this reason. Our President is the strongest defender of these principles. 

It is extremely grave and unhealthy that the first thing that comes to the minds of CHP Chairman Özgür Özel and certain opposition leaders when faced with an event that shakes the world is to make unqualified remarks directed at our President. These opposition circles have never managed a single event in foreign policy; they have no such experience. The only thing they understand from foreign policy is to complain about Turkey and to view developments

However, to understand only after it is too late and to mistake producing rhetoric for managing a crisis is a mistake. The opposition in Turkey should not be confined to unqualified and narrow political corridors. In these times when the world is shaken, everyone must act with common sense, behave responsibly, and take care that the words spoken serve Turkey's path. 

Our President is among the most skilled managers of global crises. It has never been observed that he refrained from speaking the truth or turned a blind eye to injustice. Which words our President says, when, and where is a part of his political experience and mastery of crisis management. Our President is 'MASTER OF HIS OWN WORDS' and is one of the leading world leaders who possesses this trait. It has never been observed that our President has approved or excused a development contrary to the concept of political legitimacy. 

How our President manages which crisis, and which words he says, when and in what manner, is followed most carefully all over the world. The reason for this is his ability to build a qualified and original political line outside of political clichés. 

We are in difficult times for the world. The entire world will face a global environment that will become increasingly difficult. 

In these difficult times, we know that our greatest support is to hold on more tightly to our political principles. We do not compromise on our principles of political legitimacy by even a fraction. We underline that all political centers in our country must act with responsibility and common sense for Turkey in the face of chaotic developments in the outside world.  

The requirement of political wisdom is to keep our internal front strong against the chaos in the world. By utilizing all the possibilities of state wisdom and diplomacy, we will further strengthen our direction. The political lines that our President will build in the management of crises with his great experience and political will will continue to keep Turkey's path open."

WHAT DID ÖZGÜR ÖZEL SAY?

CHP leader Özgür Özel shared the photo of Maduro, which was also published by US President Donald Trump, and used the following expressions regarding President Erdoğan:

"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 him support.

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

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

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

When you should have defended democracy, you defended Maduro; now, when you should defend the world order, you are defending Trump's coup against another country with your silence.

Because you are afraid of Trump, whom you feel dependent upon."

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

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 your support.

When Maduro held unfair elections and treated his own people unjustly, you stood behind him by calling him “my brother”... pic.twitter.com/YvMyPtdsME

— Özgür Özel (@eczozgurozel) January 3, 2026

News Source: 12punto