UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has raised alarm over growing instability in Venezuela following the U.S. capture of President Nicolas Maduro, as the UN Security Council convened to debate the legality and consequences of the operation. The meeting took place just hours before Maduro was due to appear in a New York federal court on drug-related charges, which he has denied.
UN Concerns
Guterres warned that the operation could intensify instability inside Venezuela, destabilise the wider region, and set a troubling precedent for relations between states. He urged all Venezuelan political actors to engage in inclusive and democratic dialogue and said the United Nations stood ready to support peaceful efforts to resolve the crisis.
U.S. Position: ‘No Occupation’
The United States defended the operation as a limited law-enforcement action rather than a military intervention. U.S. Ambassador Mike Waltz told the Security Council that Washington was not at war with Venezuela and had no plans to occupy the country. He argued that Maduro and his wife were indicted fugitives and said U.S. action was necessary to prevent adversaries from controlling Venezuela’s vast energy reserves.
Venezuela’s Response
Venezuela’s UN Ambassador Samuel Moncada condemned the U.S. operation as an illegitimate armed attack with no legal basis. He told the council that Venezuela’s institutions remain intact, constitutional order has been preserved, and the government continues to exercise full control over its territory.
International Law Debate
Guterres questioned whether the U.S. action complied with international law, citing the UN Charter’s prohibition on the use of force against another state’s sovereignty. The United States countered by invoking Article 51 of the charter, which allows self-defence if an armed attack occurs, arguing its actions were legally justified.
Global Reactions
Russia, China, and Colombia strongly condemned the U.S. operation as illegal and a violation of Venezuelan sovereignty. Other council members stopped short of direct criticism but emphasized the importance of respecting international law. Russia accused Western states of hypocrisy, while China compared the operation to past U.S.-led interventions, warning that military force often leads to greater crises.
What Happens Next
Despite the criticism, the UN Security Council is unlikely to take action against the United States, which holds veto power as a permanent member. Diplomatic pressure is expected to continue, but with Washington asserting control on the ground and legal proceedings underway in the U.S., Venezuela’s political future remains deeply uncertain.
With information from Reuters.
