The Kabul Tribune (KT) — Invoking the bedrock principle prohibiting the use of force against the territory and independence of any State, the UN Secretary-General told the Security Council on Monday there must be “full respect” for the UN Charter, in the face of the United States military intervention in Venezuela and seizure of President Nicolás Maduro.
In a statement delivered by Under-Secretary-General for
Political Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo, António Guterres said the Council was
meeting “at a grave time” following the 3 January US military action in
Venezuela.
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.
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.
“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.”
