International Outcry Greets US Military Operation in the Bolivarian Republic at United Nations Emergency Session
Broad international disapproval was directed at the US at a hastily convened UN Security Council session, with multiple states labeling its latest military action in Venezuela a "crime of aggression."
Wide-Ranging Group of Countries Expresses Firm Objection
States from Brazil, Beijing, Russia, and Pretoria to Mexico, Spain, Cuba, and Bogotá jointly denounced the move to conduct deadly strikes and capture the South American country's leader, President Maduro, along with his wife, Cilia Flores.
"The military strikes on Venezuelan territory and the arrest of its president transgress an impermissible boundary," declared the Brasilia's ambassador to the UN. "These acts represent a very serious insult to the sovereignty of Venezuela and establish an immensely perilous precedent for the whole global community."
Legal Defense Fiercely Disputed
In response, the American envoy defended the action as a legitimate "law enforcement" measure aimed at enforcing existing criminal indictments against what was called an "illegitimate" leader, strongly stating it was in no way an act of war.
Yet, the United Nations Secretary-General cautioned that the capture threatened intensifying instability in Venezuela and the broader area. The official raised doubts about whether the operation respected the principles of global law.
"I remain deeply worried about the potential escalation of instability in the country, the possible effect on the area, and the example it may set for how interactions between states are conducted," the message said.
Veto-Wielding Security Council Members Issue Blunt Rebukes
Russia ambassador described the action as "a turn back to the age of lawlessness" and urged the council to denounce such methods. "We cannot allow the United States to declare itself as some kind of a supreme arbiter," the diplomat added.
In a similar vein, China delegate accused the US of having "wantonly violated Venezuela's sovereignty" and breached the tenet of sovereign equality. "No country can serve as the global police force," the Chinese envoy declared.
Cuba representative was more direct, labeling the attack "an imperialist and fascist act of aggression with aims of control."
Caracas Calls Action a "Abduction"
The Venezuelan its own UN envoy informed the meeting that the US had carried out an "unlawful armed attack without any legal justification," which involved "the abduction of the duly elected president."
"No state can position itself as a judge, party and enforcer of the world order ... Venezuela is the victim of this aggression because of its natural resources," the ambassador added.
Council Deadlock Amid Deep Divisions
Despite the forceful rhetoric, the UNSC remained deadlocked by disagreements among its most powerful members. Any potential attempt to officially censure the United States is destined to be blocked by its own veto power, underscoring the body's limited capacity for action in the wake of such a crisis.
Legal experts point out the operation did not have UN Security Council authorisation, Venezuelan consent, or a defensible self-defence justification, placing it in possible violation of the UN Charter which requires states to avoid the threat or use of force.
