The United Nations expressed grave concern on Tuesday over the recent US air strikes in Venezuela and the forceful seizure of the country’s leader, labeling the actions as a breach of international law. Ravina Shamdasani, a spokesperson for the UN rights office, emphasized that states should respect the territorial integrity and political independence of all nations and urged the international community to unite in condemning the violation of established international laws.
US commandos, supported by warplanes, the navy, and air strikes, forcibly took custody of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores over the weekend. Maduro, who denies drug trafficking and other charges brought against him in New York, insists he was kidnapped and remains the legitimate president of Venezuela. He assumed office in 2013 following the leadership of his predecessor, Hugo Chavez.
Accusations from the United States and the European Union suggest that Maduro maintained power through electoral fraud and the imprisonment of political opponents, alongside widespread corruption. Shamdasani highlighted the continuous deterioration in Venezuela, which the UN rights office has been monitoring closely from Panama since being expelled from the country in early 2024.
Critically, Shamdasani criticized the US justifications for its actions, emphasizing that accountability for human rights violations should not be pursued through unilateral military interventions that violate international law. She condemned the use of human rights arguments as a pretext for military intervention, expressing concerns that such actions could exacerbate the situation in Venezuela.
Shamdasani further pointed out that the state of emergency declared by Venezuelan authorities following the intervention has led to property seizures, restrictions on free movement, and the suspension of the right to protest, among other measures. She cautioned that the military intervention undermines international security and poses risks to the safety of all countries.
The UN’s humanitarian agencies have been on high alert, with the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) highlighting the urgent need for humanitarian assistance in Venezuela, even prior to the recent US operation. The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has not observed significant signs of mass displacement yet but stands ready to provide emergency relief and support to displaced individuals as necessary.