The fact that a superpower like the US does not feel obliged to respect and obey any law, let alone the sovereignty and territorial integrity of a member country of the international community, means the loss of confidence in whatever remains of international legality.
The year 2026 has just begun and it doesn't look very promising: the military intervention in Venezuela ordered by the US President, Donald Trump, and the consequent "capture" of Maduro seems to foreshadow, for those who control and impose the "law of the strongest" without restriction, a devastation of the rules established in the international order after the bloody and almost forgotten World War II.Donald Trump's second term is beginning to fulfill the worst omens: the annihilation of the principles of international order will be replaced by the law of the jungle, challenging, if anything, despising those of us who defend and bet on a world based on rules.However, the worst of this series of violations of international law has only just begun, as this grotesque episode will be followed by Colombia, Cuba, Mexico, Greenland (an autonomous territory under the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Denmark and, therefore, an integral part of the EU). Save yourselves if you can, as quickly as possible.
All of the above does not justify the deserved rejection and condemnation of the regime that has governed Venezuela uninterruptedly since 1998 – the year Hugo Chávez achieved his first victory – for its grave and persistent violation of human rights and burial of democratic principles. Nevertheless, the methods used to remove Maduro from the country deserve all criticism as they contravene all norms and procedures of International Law.
Despite all of this, the question is recurrently posed: what is the point of the EU and why do we continue to be part of this integration project?The EU is made up of 27 member states, and each one is pushing in a different direction. The EU has not found common words to forcefully and firmly reject, as a grave aggression against International Law, the aggression against Venezuela, moving away from its raison d'être as an irreplaceable paragon in the world for the defense and promotion of democratic values and respect for human rights.
These dynamics lead to reactionary forces having free rein and sowing the seeds of Euroscepticism, partly fueled by a widespread crisis that, within the 27 member states, fails to find collective solutions to the everyday financial problems of European citizens, even threatening the remaining credibility it holds with the European public opinion itself. Despite this, for those who boast that "Europe is dead" or "is about to disappear," it should be remembered that if Europe did not exist, it would have to be invented.
Thus, from Equipo Europa Canarias, in this 2026 that has begun in its most turbulent reversal, we want to remember the 40th anniversary of Spain's accession, and therefore, of the Canary Islands', to the European Union. Rivers of ink have been written and the resulting changes and improvements after accession have been analyzed: greater economic development, correction of inequalities through social cohesion instruments, infrastructure, democratic, political, and economic freedoms, and a long etcetera. All of this has a pro-European imprint that we must never forget. Even more so in a world where the geopolitical chessboard is played out between the United States, China, and Russia. Without the European Union, we would not be what we are, but rather we would be much more unprotected.
Likewise, the Canary Islands, as an Outermost Region, have much to fight for, defend, and debate, which by virtue of Article 349 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, it is incumbent upon them to ensure compliance with the specificities contemplated by this statute in all areas of European legislation.Thus, in this new Multiannual Financial Framework 2028-2034, there is great potential to enhance its competitiveness in renewable energies, marine research, the aerospace sector, green hydrogen, the blue economy, etc. All of this will depend on European projects that land in the region having a clearly defined long-term strategy, in which the coalition between companies, institutions, and universities, the so-called "triple helix," will be essential.Nevertheless, it is evident that Europe needs changes, even more so when geopolitical reality imposes itself on its strength in demanding from the European Union an uplifting voice, with its own legal personality (Art. 47.2 TEU) in a definitively globalized and turbulent world, avoiding appearing absent in any forum with a single voice in contributing to a rule-based globalization respectful of a multilateral order – and not being irrelevant and futile for its more than 450 million inhabitants.Now is not the time for contemplation, but for moving forward with foresight, looking ahead, and continuing to resolutely defend our membership in the EU as the only absolutely necessary lever of hope and protection