United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has voiced serious concerns about rising instability in Venezuela, following the dramatic arrest of President Nicolas Maduro by US forces. The United States, meanwhile, insists it has no plans to occupy the troubled Latin American nation.
An emergency session of the 15-member Security Council took place at UN headquarters in New York, just hours before Maduro was set to stand in a Manhattan federal courtroom on explosive drug charges, including conspiracy related to narco-terrorism. Maduro has maintained his innocence, denying all allegations.
“I am deeply concerned about the possible intensification of instability in the country, the potential impact on the region, and the precedent it may set for how relations between and among states are conducted,” Guterres said in a statement read by UN political affairs chief Rosemary DiCarlo.
US Denies Occupation Claims
US Ambassador Mike Waltz told council members the US operation was a “surgical law enforcement action” with military assistance to capture “two indicted fugitives of American justice” – referring to Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.
He emphasized: “As Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said, there is no war against Venezuela or its people. We are not occupying a country.” Waltz outlined why Washington acted, saying, “You cannot continue to have the largest energy reserves in the world under the control of adversaries of the United States, under the control of illegitimate leaders, and not benefiting the people of Venezuela.”
Venezuela’s UN Ambassador Samuel Moncada slammed the US move as “an illegitimate armed attack lacking any legal justification.” He reassured the council that Venezuela’s institutions were functioning, constitutional order was intact, and the state had control over its territory.
Guterres urged all Venezuelan parties to pursue peaceful, inclusive dialogue. “I welcome and am ready to support all efforts aimed at assisting Venezuelans in finding a peaceful way forward,” he added.
Doubts Over Legality
The UN chief also flagged concerns about the legality of the US raid in Caracas, saying it appeared to violate international law. The UN Charter clearly prohibits the use of force against a nation’s sovereignty or political independence except in certain self-defense scenarios.
The United States defended its actions under Article 51 of the Charter, which allows self-defense following an armed attack on a member state.
International Reaction
The US operation has set off alarm bells internationally, with Russia, China, and Colombia openly condemning it as illegal
