UN set to scrutinise legality of US operation to seize Venezuela’s Maduro

The United Nations Security Council is expected to debate the legality of the United States’ operation to seize Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, as questions mount over whether the raid violated international law.

The council’s meeting follows a US military action that reportedly targeted power and military sites in Caracas before Maduro was taken into custody and flown to the United States. He is being held in New York and is due in court on drug-related charges.

Russia, China and other partners of Venezuela have criticised Washington’s use of force, while several US allies have largely limited their responses to general calls for respect for international law rather than direct condemnation.

US officials have argued the operation was justified under the UN Charter’s self-defence provisions, citing alleged threats linked to organised crime and foreign-backed networks. However, multiple legal scholars and experts have challenged that rationale, saying the action lacked UN authorisation, did not have Venezuela’s consent and did not meet the standard for self-defence.

Any effort to hold the US accountable through the Security Council faces a major obstacle because Washington holds veto power as a permanent member.

Separately, Cuba said dozens of its citizens were killed during the raid and announced two days of mourning, describing the dead as members of its armed forces and intelligence services who were in Venezuela providing security support.