UN Chief Warns US of Legal Breach Over Venezuela Strike: Regional Instability Likely Following Military Action to Capture Maduro
In a noteworthy address delivered to the United Nations Security Council on 5 January 2026, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, through Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo, expressed grave concern over the United States’ recent military operation in Venezuela.
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| File Photo: Antonio Guterres |
According to the Secretary-General, U.S. troops operated in multiple Venezuelan states, including Caracas, Miranda, Aragua, and La Guaira, on 3 January, during what President Donald Trump later confirmed as a “large-scale strike.”
Trump’s declaration that the United States will "run the country until such time that we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition" was noted in the session as raising serious questions about the violation of international legal norms.
The Venezuelan government has described the incident as a “military aggression” and a “flagrant violation of the [UN] Charter,” with potentially far-reaching implications for both regional and international stability. Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, are currently in U.S. custody in New York, facing charges that include narco-terrorism and conspiracy.
While global reactions continue to divide opinion, the UN leadership’s tone was unequivocal on the legal implications. “I remain deeply concerned that rules of international law have not been respected with regard to the 3 January military action,” DiCarlo said, reiterating the UN Charter’s explicit prohibition on the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state.
The Secretary-General recalled the longstanding international scrutiny of Venezuela, especially after its contested 2024 presidential elections. A panel of electoral experts appointed by the UN at Caracas’ request flagged major irregularities in those elections.
More recently, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has reported serious violations in Venezuela, with the Security Council briefed as recently as 23 December.
The developments come amid a continued state of emergency declared by interim President Delcy Rodríguez, who assumed authority following Maduro’s removal.
While the U.S. maintains that the military operation was a lawful move to detain a fugitive accused of crimes under sealed indictments, the UN has underlined the dangers of setting a precedent for unilateral force.
“The maintenance of international peace and security depends on the continued commitment of all Member States to adhere to all provisions of the Charter,” the Secretary-General’s remarks stressed.
Highlighting the country’s deep socio-political crisis, economic collapse, and mass exodus of citizens, Guterres warned that Venezuela now stands at a perilous crossroads.
But he also emphasized that "it is still possible to prevent a wider and more destructive conflagration," calling for inclusive and democratic dialogue among Venezuelan actors and respect for human rights and rule of law.
He urged Venezuela’s regional neighbors and the broader international community to act with solidarity, respect for sovereignty, and adherence to international norms.
“In situations as confused and complex as the one we now face, it is important to stick to principles,” the Secretary-General noted, citing the primacy of the UN Charter, sovereign equality, territorial integrity, and legal mechanisms to resolve disputes.
This firm statement from the UN comes ahead of an emergency Security Council meeting to deliberate further on the consequences of the U.S. operation, which has already drawn sharp condemnations from Russia, China, Iran, and several Latin American states.
Meanwhile, allies like the United Kingdom, France, and Canada have cautiously welcomed the removal of Maduro, framing it as an opportunity for democratic transition.
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