UN chief deeply concerned over ‘possible intensification of instability’ in Venezuela

In a statement delivered by Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said the Security Council was meeting “at a grave time” following the 3 January US military action in Venezuela and seizure of President Nicolás Maduro.

The broad outlines of the operation, which unfolded across Caracas and the northern states of Miranda, Aragua and La Guaira, have been widely reported, though the extent of casualties remains unclear.  

US President Donald Trump announced a “large scale strike” and rendition of his Venezuelan counterpart on Saturday, later stating the US would now “run the country” until a transition could be secured.

Venezuela has characterized the operation as blatant military aggression and a flagrant violation of the UN Charter, posing a threat to international and regional peace and security.

President Maduro is being held in New York and due to appear in court on Monday – just a few miles south of UN Headquarters in Manhattan – accused by US authorities, along with his wife Cilia Flores, of serious drugs and weapons offences.

Future of Venezuela at stake

“What is less certain is the immediate future of Venezuela,” the Secretary-General said, warning of the risk of deepening instability, regional repercussions and a dangerous precedent for relations among States.

He stressed that respect for international law must remain the guiding principle, voicing concern that the rules governing the use of force “have not been respected” in the 3 January military action.  

The UN Charter, he recalled, explicitly prohibits the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State.

“The maintenance of international peace and security depends on the continued commitment of all Member States to adhere to all the provisions of the Charter,” he said.

Call for inclusive, democratic dialogue

The UN chief noted that Venezuela has endured decades of internal instability and social and economic turmoil, with democracy undermined and millions of people forced to flee.

While describing the current situation as critical, he said it was still possible to prevent a “wider and more destructive conflagration.”

He called on all Venezuelan actors to engage in inclusive dialogue that allows all sectors of society to determine their future, grounded in respect for human rights, the rule of law and the sovereign will of the people.

Stick to principles

“In situations as confused and complex as the one we now face, it is important to stick to principles,” the Secretary-General said, underscoring respect for the UN Charter, sovereignty, political independence and territorial integrity, and the prohibition of the use of force.

“The power of the law must prevail,” he said, stressing that international law provides tools to address issues ranging from human rights concerns to illicit trafficking and resource disputes – and that this is “the route we need to take.”

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This story was first published to UN News.