Key Takeaways
- The US has faced widespread condemnation for its "crime of aggression" in Venezuela at an emergency meeting of the United Nations security council.
- Countries such as Brazil, China, Colombia, Cuba, Russia, and South Africa denounced Donald Trump’s decision to launch deadly strikes on Venezuela and capture its leader, Nicolás Maduro.
- The US defended the attack as a legitimate "law enforcement" action to execute long-standing criminal indictments against Maduro.
- The UN secretary general, António Guterres, warned that the capture of Maduro risked intensifying instability in Venezuela and across the region.
- The meeting ended with no collective response from the security council, due to divisions among its members.
Introduction to the Crisis
The United States has faced severe criticism from the international community for its actions in Venezuela. At an emergency meeting of the United Nations security council, several countries, including Brazil, China, Colombia, Cuba, Russia, and South Africa, condemned Donald Trump’s decision to launch deadly strikes on Venezuela and capture its leader, Nicolás Maduro, and his wife, Cilia Flores. The meeting was convened just hours before Maduro was due to appear before a federal judge in Manhattan on charges including "narco-terrorism" conspiracy, cocaine importation, and weapons trafficking.
Reaction from the International Community
The reaction from the international community was swift and severe. Sérgio França Danese, the Brazilian ambassador to the UN, told the meeting that the bombings on Venezuelan territory and the capture of its president crossed an unacceptable line. He stated that these acts constituted a very serious affront to the sovereignty of Venezuela and set an extremely dangerous precedent for the entire international community. Other countries, such as China and Russia, also strongly condemned the US action, with China’s representative, Fu Cong, saying that the US had "wantonly trampled upon Venezuela’s sovereignty" and violated the principle of sovereign equality.
US Defense of the Attack
The US defended the attack as a legitimate "law enforcement" action to execute long-standing criminal indictments against Maduro. Mike Waltz, the US ambassador to the UN, told the council that the operation was a law-enforcement action carried out in pursuit of long-standing indictments. He cited Article 51 of the UN charter, which enshrines the right to self-defence, and said that the evidence against Maduro would be presented openly in US court. However, experts have questioned the legality of the operation, noting that it lacked UN security council authorization, Venezuelan consent, and a clear self-defence rationale.
UN Response to the Crisis
The UN secretary general, António Guterres, warned that the capture of Maduro risked intensifying instability in Venezuela and across the region. He urged Venezuelan actors to engage in "inclusive and democratic dialogue" and offered UN support for a peaceful way forward. The meeting had been requested by Colombia, which delivered a carefully calibrated rebuke of Washington. The country’s ambassador, Leonor Zalabata Torres, condemned the US action as a violation of Venezuela’s sovereignty, political independence, and territorial integrity.
Aftermath and Future Implications
The meeting ended with no collective response from the security council, due to divisions among its members. Any attempt to censure the US is certain to be blocked by its veto, one of five held by the council’s permanent members. The US action has set a dangerous precedent for the international community, and its implications will be closely watched in the coming days and weeks. The capture of Maduro has also raised questions about the future of Venezuela and the region, with many experts warning of a potential escalation of violence and instability.
Conclusion and Ongoing Tensions
In conclusion, the US action in Venezuela has sparked a major international crisis, with widespread condemnation from the international community. The US has defended its actions as a legitimate "law enforcement" operation, but experts have questioned its legality. The UN has called for a peaceful resolution to the crisis, but the security council’s divisions have prevented a collective response. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the international community will respond to the US action and what the future holds for Venezuela and the region. The ongoing tensions between the US and Venezuela, as well as the US and other countries that have condemned its actions, are likely to continue to escalate in the coming days and weeks.