ISTANBUL

Türkiye's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday said he conveyed Ankara's sensitivities in a call with US President Donald Trump, urging Venezuela not be abandoned to instability.

Ankara will continue to stand by the "friendly people of Venezuela in their struggle for prosperity, peace, and development," Erdogan said in his address after a Cabinet meeting in the capital Ankara.

He warned that violating the sovereignty of nations, disregarding international law, are risky steps that could cause "serious global complications."

Ankara never approves of any act violating international law, Erdogan said, adding that Türkiye strives to do what is best for both the Turkish and the "brotherly Venezuelan nation."

Türkiye is at the "forefront" of countries around the world that defend justice, legitimacy, and international law, he said.

Erdogan said the Venezuelan people and their President Nicolas Maduro have "repeatedly" shown themselves to be "friends" of the Turkish nation, and the two countries have always prioritized solidarity in difficult times and continue to act with the same understanding.

US military action in Venezuela over the weekend resulted in the capture of Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores. They face drug trafficking charges and pleaded not guilty in a New York court appearance on Monday.

Erdogan said Ankara has always taken "a clear stance" against injustice, illegality, and oppression.

Türkiye, he said, is making a "leap that the world follows with close attention, appreciation, and often admiration," and "no one can stand in its way."

"Those seeking to plunge our region into bloodshed will try to sideline us, but we will not fall for it," he added.

Erdogan said "terrorism is an imperialist shackle imposed on Türkiye," noting that terrorist groups have been used as tools for this purpose.

He said Türkiye has a historic opportunity to eliminate terrorism permanently, and vowed to continue the “terror-free Türkiye” process with determination, patience and prudence to end the decades-long problem.