Strong concerns about what will happen after the operation against him were expressed in the emergency meeting on the occasion of the developments.
The dance of statements about the consequences of the Trump administration’s move was opened by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who argued that he is particularly concerned about further destabilization after the arrest of the country’s president, Nicolás Maduro, for “the impact it may have in the wider region, but also for the precedent that is created in terms of how relations between states work.”
The secretary-general called on all sides in Venezuela to participate in an “inclusive and democratic dialogue”, declaring his readiness to support any effort for a peaceful way out of the crisis. At the same time, he expressed his concern that the American operation to arrest Maduro in Caracas did not respect the rules of international law.
Group fire against the US from Colombia, Russia and China
Colombia – which requested the meeting – was particularly critical, condemning the American action as a flagrant violation of Venezuela’s sovereignty, political independence and territorial integrity. “There is absolutely no justification, under any circumstances, for the unilateral use of force to carry out an act of aggression,” said Colombia’s ambassador to the UN, Leonor Zalabata Torres, calling the operation a serious violation of international law and the United Nations Charter.
Russia also expressed its reaction, with its permanent representative to the UN, Vasily Nebenzia, describing the American intervention as “shocking”, especially for those who hoped for a new approach of the Trump administration that would be based on diplomacy and the search for compromises.
“The attack on the Venezuelan leader is a harbinger of a return to an era of arbitrariness and American rule through violence, chaos and lawlessness,” the Russian diplomat said, speaking of “crimes” by the United States and calling on Washington to immediately release Nicolas Maduro and his wife.
China moved on the same wavelength. Beijing’s deputy permanent representative to the UN said his country is “deeply shocked” and “unequivocally condemns the United States’ unilateral, illegal and intimidating actions” in Venezuela, accusing Washington of flagrantly violating the country’s sovereignty. At the same time, he called on the US to immediately release Nicolas Maduro and his wife.
No penalties can be imposed
Legal experts have also pointed out that the US operation did not have Security Council approval, was not carried out with Venezuela’s consent and cannot be justified as an act of self-defense. However, since the United States has veto power in the Security Council — along with Russia, China, Britain and France — sanctions are not possible.
