The Economic Community of West African States, a regional political and economic bloc comprising fifteen countries across West Africa, has expressed deep concern over unfolding political and security developments in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, calling for restraint, respect for national sovereignty, and inclusive dialogue among Venezuelans.
In a statement issued in Abuja, Nigeria’s federal capital, on Sunday, January 4, 2026, the West African regional body said it was closely monitoring the situation in Venezuela amid rising international tensions and rapidly evolving political events.
“ECOWAS has followed with concern recent developments in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela,” the Commission said.
The organization acknowledged the legitimate right of sovereign states to combat international crimes such as terrorism and drug trafficking but cautioned that such efforts must not violate established principles of international law or undermine the sovereignty of another nation.
“While it recognises the right of states to fight international crimes, including terrorism and drug trafficking, ECOWAS wishes to remind the international community of its obligation to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states, as enshrined in international law, especially Article 2(4) of the United Nations Charter,” the statement added.
Okay News reports that ECOWAS also aligned itself with the African Union, a continental body representing fifty-five African countries, which had earlier issued a statement urging calm, restraint, and inclusive dialogue among Venezuelans.
“ECOWAS fully aligns itself with the statement issued by the African Union on January 3, 2026, which calls for restraint and inclusive dialogue among the people of Venezuela,” the Commission said.
Reaffirming its solidarity with the Venezuelan population, ECOWAS urged all countries to respect Venezuela’s independence and territorial integrity, stressing that the country’s future must be determined by its citizens.
“ECOWAS reiterates its solidarity with the people of Venezuela and urges all states to respect the independence and territorial integrity of Venezuela,” the statement read.
The regional bloc further emphasized that the Venezuelan people should be allowed to shape their political future through peaceful, inclusive, and democratic processes.
“The Community expresses its support for the people of Venezuela as they shape the future of their country through an inclusive process,” it said.
The statement followed dramatic developments in Caracas, the capital city of Venezuela, where the United States military, acting on the directive of the President of the United States, Donald Trump, carried out an overnight operation that resulted in the seizure of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife from their private residence.
Both were subsequently flown to the United States. Speaking from his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, President Trump said Washington would temporarily oversee Venezuela until a leadership transition is arranged, describing the intervention as necessary to ensure what he termed a “proper transition.”
President Trump also disclosed that United States oil companies would be deployed to repair Venezuela’s damaged oil infrastructure, while the existing United States embargo on Venezuelan oil would remain in force. He added that American forces would remain on high alert.
However, the United States administration has yet to provide clear details on how it intends to administer Venezuela, despite the continued presence of the country’s vice president, legislature, and military leadership, all of whom have publicly opposed the intervention.
The United States government further stated that President Maduro would “face the full wrath of American justice on American soil in American courts.” The former Venezuelan leader has been indicted in New York on drug trafficking and weapons charges, according to United States Attorney General, Pam Bondi.
Following Maduro’s removal, Venezuela’s highest judicial body, the Supreme Tribunal of Justice, appointed Vice President Delcy Rodríguez as interim president. In a ruling issued late on Saturday, the court directed Rodríguez to assume executive powers to ensure continuity of governance while legal frameworks are reviewed to safeguard national sovereignty.
