By: The Trek News Desk
The United States came under intense scrutiny at an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) following the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife by US special forces. What drew particular attention was that not only Washington’s rivals, but also several of its long-standing allies, raised concerns that the operation may have violated international law.
The 15-member Security Council convened on Monday in New York, where multiple countries cautioned that the detention of a sitting head of state outside US territory could set a dangerous global precedent. President Maduro and his wife have since been presented before a US court in connection with alleged drug trafficking charges.
Venezuela’s Ambassador to the UN, Samuel Moncada, strongly condemned the US action, describing it as an “armed attack without any legal basis.” His remarks were echoed by representatives from Cuba and Colombia, as well as permanent Security Council members Russia and China.
Cuba’s Ambassador Ernesto Soberón Guzmán accused Washington of enforcing its domestic laws beyond its borders, in areas where it has no legal jurisdiction. He said such actions undermine national sovereignty and violate established international norms.
Russia’s Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia delivered a sharp rebuke, stating that no country has the right to position itself as a “supreme global judge” capable of invading other nations and imposing punishments at will, ignoring principles of sovereignty and non-interference.
Significantly, criticism also came from US allies Mexico and Denmark. Mexico’s Ambassador Héctor Vasconcelos said the Security Council has a responsibility to respond firmly and without double standards, emphasizing that nations have the right to determine their own political future.
Denmark’s Ambassador Christina Markus Lassen warned that no state should attempt to influence Venezuela’s political outcomes through force or intimidation. She stressed that the inviolability of international borders is non-negotiable.
France also voiced concern over the US military operation. French Deputy Ambassador Jay Dharmadhikari stated that the action leading to Maduro’s arrest contradicts the principles of peaceful conflict resolution and the prohibition on the use of force.
However, some countries shifted focus to the situation inside Venezuela. Representatives from Latvia and the United Kingdom highlighted alleged repression, corruption and organized crime under Maduro’s government. UK Ambassador James Kariuki argued that Maduro’s claim to power lacks legitimacy.
Defending its actions, the United States maintained that the operation was a targeted law-enforcement mission. US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz said the move was necessary to safeguard American national security. The White House also justified recent air strikes in and around Venezuela as essential measures against drug trafficking and what it described as “narco-terrorism.”
The developments have intensified global debate over the limits of state power, respect for international law, and the role of the United States on the world stage.
Source: News Agencies
