‘The power of the law must prevail’ amid Venezuela crisis, says Guterres
- UNAA
- Jan 5
- 7 min read
5th January 2026
The Security Council met in emergency session in New York to address the US rendition of Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro from Caracas, a move that has sent shockwaves through the region and beyond. The UN chief António Guterres told ambassadors there must be respect for national sovereignty, “political independence and territorial integrity,” after warning on Saturday that the US had set a “dangerous precedent” for the world order.
The Security Council meets today under the agenda item "Threats to International Peace and Security", following the United States attack on Venezuela. Rosemary DiCarlo, Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, is expected to deliver a statement on behalf of Secretary-General António Guterres. Colombia, backed by China and the Russian Federation, requested the meeting.
Venezuela crisis risks regional instability, sets dangerous precedent, warns Under-Secretary-General
“We meet at a grave time following the 3 January United States military action in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela,” Rosemary DiCarlo said, briefing on behalf of the Secretary-General. She recalled that Venezuela has described the incident as a military aggression and a violation of the UN Charter.
Expressing concern over “the possible intensification of instability” and its regional impact, she warned of the precedent it could set. Noting decades of political, social and economic turmoil that have driven millions to flee, she stressed that “the situation is critical, but it is still possible to prevent a wider and more destructive conflagration”.
She urged inclusive dialogue and respect for sovereignty, political independence and territorial integrity, emphasizing that “the power of the law must prevail”.
Venezuela crisis test of UN Charter’s prohibition on use of force, says briefer
Jeffrey Sachs, President of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network and Director of the Center for Sustainable Development at Columbia University, stressed that the issue at stake today is not Venezuela’s character.
“The issue is whether any Member State, by force, coercion or economic strangulation has the right to determine Venezuela's political future or to exercise control over its affairs,” he said.
The Council must decide whether to uphold or abandon Article 2, Section 4 of the UN Charter which prohibits the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State.
Mercedes De Freitas, Founder and Executive Director of Transparencia Venezuela, told the Security Council that criminal organizations have a “symbiotic relationship” with the regime of Nicolás Maduro, using State structures for drug trafficking, extortion and human trafficking.
She said corruption has drained public finances, leaving citizens with failing services, food insecurity and daily extortion by armed groups. “So many families rely on only one meal per day,” she warned, adding that worsening impunity fuels repression, torture and deaths from lack of medical care — cases documented by the United Nations.
Calling for accountability, she urged the creation of “a transparent State” and freedom for all political prisoners.
Colombia condemns 3 January events, warns of migratory impact, urges respect for UN Charter
Leonor Zalabata Torres (Colombia) strongly condemned the events of 3 January, stressing that the Charter of the UN permits the use of force only in exceptional circumstances, such as self-defence, and not to seize political control of another State.
She warned that uncertainty caused by the “attacks” could trigger a large influx of migrants, requiring significant resources to support host communities.
As a preventive measure, she said Colombia has taken steps to maintain stability along the border and address potential humanitarian needs, including those of migrants.
United States actions in Venezuela fuel ‘neocolonialism’, says Russian Federation
Vassily A. Nebenzia (Russian Federation) condemned the United States for what he called armed aggression against Venezuela in violation of international law, urging Washington, D.C., to immediately release the “legitimately elected President” and his spouse.
He called on Council members to abandon double standards and not justify “such an egregious act of aggression” out of fear of the “American global gendarme”.
Warning that the United States seeks control over Venezuela’s natural resources, he said its actions are generating “fresh momentum for neocolonialism and imperialism”.
China condemns 'unilateral, illegal, bullying acts' against Venezuela
China’s representative said his country was “deeply shocked by, and strongly condemns”, what he described as the United States’ “unilateral, illegal and bullying acts” against Venezuela.
He accused the United States of “wantonly trampling upon Venezuela’s sovereignty, security and legitimate rights and interests”, placing power above multilateralism and military action above diplomacy.
Warning of a grave threat to peace in Latin America and beyond, he urged the United States to heed the “overwhelming voice” of the international community and return to dialogue.
‘There is no war against Venezuela,’ says United States, defending operation
Michael G. Waltz (United States) told the Security Council that Washington, D.C., carried out “a surgical law enforcement operation” to apprehend two indicted fugitives, naming “narco-terrorist Nicolás Maduro and Celia Flores”.
Stressing that “there is no war against Venezuela or its people”, he compared the action to the 1989 arrest of Manuel Noriega. He described Mr. Maduro as a fugitive and leader of a “vicious foreign terrorist organization”, alleging links to drug trafficking networks that use “illegal narcotics as a weapon”.
Citing broader human rights concerns, he pointed to alleged extrajudicial killings, torture and arbitrary detentions, noting that more than 8 million Venezuelans have fled the country.
Panama urges democratic transition in Venezuela anchored in popular will, respect for international law
Eloy Alfaro de Alba (Panama) said that events in Venezuela are regrettable for their potential impact on regional peace but called for a constructive, forward-looking approach.
Reaffirming his country's commitment to multilateralism, sovereignty and the UN Charter, he said Venezuela’s crisis stems from sustained democratic erosion and rejected recognition of what it called an illegitimate, authoritarian regime.
He demanded the immediate release of political prisoners, highlighted the humanitarian and migratory fallout affecting the region, including Panama, and urged a peaceful, democratic transition reflecting the will expressed in Venezuela’s 2024 elections.
Maduro’s regime repeatedly violated UN Charter, undermined international law, says Latvia
Sanita Pavļuta-Deslandes (Latvia) said that Mr. Maduro’s regime “was rooted in mass repression, corruption and organized crime, including drug trafficking, and posed a grave threat to the security of the region and the world”.
The regime repeatedly violated the UN Charter and undermined international law, including through its open support for the Russian Federation’s aggression against Ukraine.
She said that her country stands prepared to continue working with its partners to support a peaceful, democratic and just transition in Venezuela.
‘Maduro’s claim to power was fraudulent’, says United Kingdom
James Kariuki (United Kingdom) said that Maduro’s actions created extreme levels of poverty, violent repression and failing basic services and precipitated a displacement crisis affecting the whole region.
“Maduro’s claim to power was fraudulent,” he said, noting his country’s desire to see a safe and peaceful transition to a legitimate Government that reflects the will of the Venezuelan people.
He also reaffirmed his country’s commitment to international law and the principles enshrined in the Charter. “These foundations are essential for maintaining global peace, security and the rule of law,” he said.
United States aggression driven by greed for natural resources, says Venezuela
Samuel Moncada (Venezuela) said that not only his country’s sovereignty is at stake, but also “the credibility of international law” and the authority of the United Nations.
He said Venezuela was subjected to an “illegitimate armed attack” by the United States on 3 January, lacking any legal justification and constituting a flagrant violation of the UN Charter, Geneva Conventions and the principle of sovereign equality.
Warning that tolerating the “kidnapping of a Head of State” and attacks on civilians would signal that “the law is optional”, he argued that the aggression is driven by Venezuela’s natural resources and geopolitical position.
Argentina backs United States pressure on Venezuela, calls for ‘firm commitment’ to democracy
Francisco Fabián Tropepi (Argentina) welcomed President Donald J. Trump’s “decisive action”, saying it could help end repression that has driven millions of Venezuelans into poverty and forced some 8 million to flee.
Warning that drug trafficking from Venezuela has harmed the entire region, he said Buenos Aires has “unequivocally denounced the lack of freedom” there.
Recalling Argentina’s asylum for opposition figures, he urged international support for a peaceful path to “restore institutional normalcy” and called for the release of an Argentine citizen detained since 2024.
Human rights crisis in Venezuela has ‘no military solution’, says Chile, condemning actions by United States
Chile’s delegate condemned the United States’ unilateral military action in Venezuela, stressing that although Santiago does not recognize the Maduro regime, “the serious violations of human rights… do not have a military solution”.
She said Venezuela’s crisis must be addressed through the “legitimate aspirations” of its people, expressed in free elections and citizen participation.
Recalling Chile’s own recovery of democracy with international support and organized citizens, she urged the Secretary-General and the Council to help de-escalate the situation.
Brazil rejects Venezuela intervention, says ‘South America is a zone of peace’
Sérgio França Danese (Brazil) said his country firmly rejects the armed intervention in Venezuela, calling it a blatant violation of the Charter of the UN and international law.
Stressing that “South America is a zone of peace”, he warned that bombings on Venezuelan territory and the capture of its President “cross an unacceptable line”. International norms, he said, allow no exceptions based on interests or ideology.
Warning against spheres of influence, he linked weakened global governance to record conflicts, soaring humanitarian needs and military spending nearing $2.7 trillion.
United States action against Venezuela violates Charter, says Mexico, urging Council to act ‘without double standards’
Mexico’s representative said the United States’ action must not be permitted, calling it a violation of the UN Charter and a threat to multilateralism.
Stressing that the Council has an “obligation to act decisively and without double standards”, he said it is for “sovereign peoples to decide their destinies” with full respect for human rights.
Warning against regime change by external actors and extraterritorial measures, he said such actions have “historically” only exacerbated conflicts and weakened societies.
Cuba warns of ‘hegemonic, criminal plans’ against Venezuela, urges international action
Cuba’s delegate warned the Council that Washington, D.C.'s, “hegemonic and criminal plans” towards Venezuela have produced serious and unpredictable consequences for regional stability.
Accusing the United States of unilateral coercive measures, “economic asphyxiation” and even maritime terrorism, he said these acts show disregard for the Charter of the UN and international law.
He described the kidnapping of President Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores as driven by a quest for “control over Venezuela’s land and natural resources”, calling it “imperialist and fascist aggression”, and demanded their immediate release.
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