UN declares US military attack on Venezuela 'deeply alarming'
Secretary Guterres strongly condemns arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro: Calls for respect of international law and human rights: UNSC to meet over Venezuela issue tomorrow: Maduro faces US courts under 2020 narcoterrorism indictment
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has strongly condemned the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by the United States during an overnight raid in Caracas, describing the operation as a “deeply alarming” escalation with potential consequences for the region.
The UN Security Council is scheduled to meet on Monday to discuss the unfolding situation, diplomatic sources confirmed to AFP.
Guterres said he was “deeply alarmed” by the standoff between the US and Venezuela in recent months, which culminated in the capture of Maduro by US special forces.
The Secretary-General emphasised that these developments constitute a dangerous precedent and called on all parties to uphold international law, including the UN Charter.
“Independently of the situation in Venezuela, these developments constitute a dangerous precedent,” UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said in a statement.
“The Secretary-General continues to emphasise the importance of full respect, by all, for international law and human rights. He is deeply concerned that the rules of international law have not been respected.”
US President Donald Trump confirmed the operation via social media, while the US Attorney General announced that Maduro and his wife would face “the full wrath of American justice on American soil, in American courts,” based on a 2020 narcoterrorism indictment issued in New York during Trump’s first administration.
The operation involved overnight strikes in and around Caracas. Venezuela has declared a state of national emergency, though casualty figures and the extent of the damage remain unverified.
Guterres called on all parties involved to pursue an “inclusive dialogue” in line with human rights and international law.
The UN Security Council, under the Somali presidency, confirmed that it will convene at 10 am local time on Monday, following a request from Venezuela relayed by Colombia.
The emergency meeting aims to address the US operation and its implications for regional stability.