MANILA, Philippines — Several countries on Monday criticised the United States’ dramatic military operation in Venezuela that led to the capture of President Nicolás Maduro, as the issue took center stage in an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council.
The 15-member council convened after US forces seized Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, in a weekend operation in Caracas. Delegations raised concerns that the action violated Venezuela’s sovereignty and international law, while also condemning US President Donald Trump’s remarks suggesting possible military action against other countries, including Mexico and Colombia, over drug-trafficking allegations.
‘Inviolability of borders’
Denmark strongly rejected Trump’s renewed comments about taking over Greenland, a self-governing Danish territory, citing security concerns.
“The inviolability of borders is not up for negotiation,” Danish UN Ambassador Christina Markus Lassen told the council. She added that no state should attempt to influence political outcomes in Venezuela through force or threats inconsistent with international law.
France echoed similar concerns. While French President Emmanuel Macron earlier expressed general approval of Maduro’s capture, France’s deputy UN ambassador Jay Dharmadhikari warned that violations of international law by any permanent member of the Security Council erode “the very foundation of the international order.”
He said the operation ran counter to principles of peaceful dispute resolution and the non-use of force.
The United States defended the raid. US envoy Mike Waltz described the operation as a “surgical law enforcement operation,” arguing that Maduro should not be treated as a legitimate head of state. Waltz cited alleged irregularities in Venezuela’s 2024 presidential election, which many Western countries and the European Union have described as rigged.
UN Security Council to go beyond statements
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was “deeply concerned” that international law had not been respected in the January 3 operation, warning that the action could set a dangerous precedent for relations among states.
Venezuela’s UN Ambassador Samuel Moncada urged the Security Council to go beyond statements of concern and demand the immediate release of Maduro and Flores. “If the kidnapping of a head of state, the bombing of a sovereign country, and open threats of further armed action are tolerated, the message to the world is devastating,” Moncada said.
China and Russia, both permanent members of the Security Council, also criticised Washington, calling on the UN to unite against what they described as a return to an “era of lawlessness.” Maduro had maintained close ties with Moscow, while China has been a key destination for Venezuelan oil exports.
— Daily Sun Chronicle
About The Author
