UN Criticises Capture of Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro US Says It Was ‘Law Enforcement’
Washington rejects war claims at Security Council meeting; allies question legality while rivals demand Venezuelan leader’s release
UNITED NATIONS: Facing sharp criticism from allies and rivals alike at the United Nations Security Council, the United States on Monday defended the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, insisting the operation was a law enforcement action and not an act of war.
At an emergency meeting of the Council, Washington rejected accusations that it had violated international law by seizing Maduro from a fortified military base in Venezuela. US officials maintained that there had been no invasion or occupation.
“There is no war against Venezuela or its people,” US Permanent Representative Mike Walz told the Council, quoting Secretary of State Marco Rubio. He said the operation was aimed at arresting a suspected narcotrafficker, not overthrowing a government.
According to US officials, Maduro was taken into custody to face narco-terrorism charges and will be tried under American law. His first court appearance took place in Manhattan, near UN headquarters, even as the Security Council debate was underway.
Divided Council, uneasy allies
France and Britain, both close US allies and permanent members of the Council, criticised Maduro’s political record while also questioning the legality of Washington’s actions. They argued that concerns over human rights abuses and disputed elections did not justify the use of force.
France’s Deputy Permanent Representative Jay Dharmadhikari said the military operation ran counter to principles of peaceful dispute resolution. Britain’s Deputy Permanent Representative James Kariuki warned that violations of the UN Charter by powerful states risk undermining the international order.
China and Russia were far more forceful in their criticism. Beijing said it was “deeply shocked” by what it described as US bullying, while Moscow demanded Maduro’s immediate release, insisting he remained Venezuela’s legitimate president. Russia accused Washington of reviving neocolonial and imperial practices.
Latin America reacts, US finds limited support
Venezuela’s envoy to the UN accused the United States of kidnapping a head of state and carrying out an armed attack in breach of the UN Charter, claiming the action was driven by Washington’s interest in Venezuela’s natural resources.
Only two Council members Trinidad and Argentina expressed unqualified support for the US. Trinidad said it backed American efforts to counter transnational crime networks linked to Venezuela, while Argentina described the operation as a decisive step against regional drug trafficking.
Elsewhere in Latin America, concern was widespread. Colombia strongly condemned the US action, calling it one of the most serious cases of interference in the region, while Mexico warned against double standards in the enforcement of international law.
Briefing the Council, senior UN official Rosemary DiCarlo said the Secretary-General was deeply concerned about rising instability in Venezuela and the wider region, cautioning that the episode could set a dangerous precedent for relations between states.
