The United Nations condemns the US military intervention in Venezuela and the arrest of Maduro
The United Nations on Tuesday expressed its deep concern and strong condemnation of the military operation carried out by US forces in Venezuela, which resulted in the arrest of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, in a move the international organization described as "undermining a fundamental principle of international law" and a threat to the sovereignty of states.
In a press statement from Geneva, Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, affirmed that the UN Charter is clear on this matter, stating: "States must not threaten or use force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state." These remarks came in response to the swift operation that took place on Saturday morning, in which US special forces, under heavy air cover over the capital Caracas and a large naval deployment, stormed the presidential palace and took Maduro into custody.
Rejecting American justifications
Despite Washington's justifications for the operation, which cited what it called "historic and horrific human rights violations" committed by the Maduro regime, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights rejected this as a justification for direct military intervention. Shamdasani explained that "accountability for human rights violations is paramount, but it cannot be achieved through unilateral military intervention that violates state sovereignty and international law," emphasizing that international mechanisms are the only avenue for accountability.
Context of historical tension
This event cannot be separated from a long history of escalating tensions between Washington and Caracas. For years, the United States has imposed crippling economic sanctions on Venezuela's oil sector, accusing Maduro and his inner circle of corruption and "narco-terrorism." Relations have deteriorated sharply since Washington's previous recognition of opposition forces, but the shift toward direct military intervention sets a dangerous precedent in dealing with political crises in Latin America, recalling the era of direct military interventions in the continent during the last century.
Fears of widespread chaos
The United Nations has warned of the potentially catastrophic humanitarian and security consequences of such an intervention. The High Commissioner for Human Rights noted that it has been monitoring the "continuous deterioration of the situation in Venezuela" for a decade, but cautioned that forcibly overthrowing the regime could open the door to the unknown.
The UN spokesperson added: "We fear that the current instability and further militarization of the country resulting from US intervention will worsen the situation further, potentially igniting a bloody internal conflict or leading to the complete collapse of state institutions, the price of which will be paid by Venezuelan civilians who are already suffering from suffocating economic and living crises.".
International and regional repercussions
Observers believe this operation could create a rift in international relations, as it is expected to provoke angry reactions from Venezuela's traditional allies, such as Russia and China, as well as Latin American countries that reject foreign interference. This event presents the UN Security Council with a difficult test in maintaining international peace and security in light of the major powers' disregard for UN resolutions and their resort to unilateral military solutions.
