The United Nations Security Council convened an emergency session in New York on Monday following the United States’ military operation in Venezuela and the capture of President Nicolás Maduro. UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged all nations to respect sovereignty, political independence, and territorial integrity, warning that recent developments risk setting a dangerous precedent for the global order.

Expressing deep concern, Guterres cautioned that the situation could intensify instability within Venezuela and across the wider Latin American region. He stressed that violations of international norms could undermine trust between states and weaken the foundations of the UN Charter. His remarks followed earlier warnings that the use of force without international consensus threatens global peace and security.

Venezuela strongly condemned the US action, accusing Washington of carrying out an “illegitimate armed attack” driven by greed for the country’s natural resources. Venezuelan envoy Samuel Moncada told the Council that the incident amounted to the “kidnapping of a Head of State” and a grave violation of international law, including the UN Charter and Geneva Conventions.

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China and Russia echoed Venezuela’s concerns, sharply criticising the US for what they described as unilateral and illegal aggression. China warned that prioritising military action over diplomacy could destabilise Latin America, while Russia accused Washington of promoting neocolonialism and imperialism by seeking control over Venezuela’s strategic resources.

The United States defended its actions, describing the operation as a limited law-enforcement mission targeting alleged criminal activities. US representatives denied waging war against Venezuela or its people, citing human rights abuses and drug trafficking allegations against Maduro. The UK supported the US position, stating that Maduro’s claim to power lacked legitimacy, while reaffirming its commitment to international law.

The heated debate highlighted deep divisions within the Security Council, with several nations warning that tolerating such actions could weaken international norms. As diplomatic tensions escalate, the UN faces renewed pressure to uphold the principles of sovereignty, rule of law, and peaceful resolution of conflicts.

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