The United Nations has expressed grave concerns following the January 3 military operation by the United States in Venezuela, which led to the capture of President Nicolás Maduro.
In a formal address to the Security Council shared with Okay News on Monday, the UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned that the intervention could intensify regional instability and set a troubling precedent for international diplomacy.
The UN chief emphasized the necessity of respecting the UN Charter, specifically the prohibition of the use of force against the territorial integrity of any state. Guterres noted that while Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, are currently facing serious criminal charges in New York, the methods used to detain them raise significant legal questions regarding national sovereignty and political independence.
Beyond the immediate military action, the Secretary-General highlighted the long-standing social and economic turmoil in Venezuela, urging all parties to engage in a peaceful, democratic dialogue. He called on neighboring nations and the global community to prioritize international law and human rights, stressing that legal frameworks—rather than unilateral force—should be used to address concerns such as narcotics trafficking and resource disputes.
