UN chief warns Venezuela crisis could deepen after US operation
“UN chief Antonio Guterres said the US capture of Venezuela’s president risks worsening instability and sets a troubling precedent for state-to-state conduct.”
Key points
- UN chief Antonio Guterres said the US capture of Venezuela’s president risks worsening instability and sets a troubling precedent for state-to-state conduct.
- He urged inclusive dialogue in Venezuela as the Security Council debated the legality of the operation.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that Venezuela could face escalating instability following the US seizure of President Nicolas Maduro, while also flagging concerns about the operation’s legality under international law.
His remarks were delivered as the UN Security Council convened in New York ahead of Maduro’s expected court appearance in Manhattan on drug-related charges, which he denies. Guterres called on Venezuelan political actors to pursue inclusive, democratic talks and said the UN stands ready to support efforts aimed at a peaceful path forward.
Colombia condemned the US action as an attack on Venezuela’s sovereignty and urged adherence to the UN Charter’s restrictions on the use of force. The report noted that legal experts questioned the operation’s legitimacy in the absence of UN authorization, Venezuelan consent, or a qualifying self-defense claim.
The US position was presented as grounded in Article 51 of the UN Charter, while the piece also highlighted the Security Council’s power dynamics, including the veto held by permanent members.
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