Multiple nations condemn U.S. military actions against Venezuela at UN Security Council

Several countries voiced strong condemnation of U.S. military actions against Venezuela during an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on Monday, following the Saturday strikes that included the forcible removal of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores to the United States.

Colombia, speaking for the first time in its new role as a non-permanent member of the Security Council for 2026-2027, categorically denounced the U.S. actions. Colombia's permanent representative to the United Nations Leonor Zalabata said the attacks represented clear violations of Venezuela's sovereignty, political independence and territorial integrity. "There is no justification whatsoever under any circumstances for the unilateral use of force to commit an act of aggression," she said, emphasizing that defending international law is an obligation to preserve international peace and security.

Venezuela has also called on the Security Council to act. UN ambassador Samuel Moncada urged the Council to demand the immediate release and safe return of Maduro and his wife, and to condemn the use of force against his country. He described the strikes as a flagrant violation of the UN Charter, the principle of sovereign equality, and the Geneva Conventions.

"When force is used to control resources, impose governments, or redesign states, we are faced with a logic that harks back to the worst practices of colonialism and neocolonialism," Moncada said. He warned that tolerating such acts would signal that the law is optional and might makes right.

Several other countries echoed these concerns.

Brazil's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Sergio Franca Danese, said his country "categorically and firmly rejects the armed intervention in Venezuelan territory in flagrant violation of the Charter of the United Nations and of international law." He said the bombings and the seizure of Venezuela's president crossed an unacceptable line and set an extremely dangerous precedent for the international community.

Russia also condemned the U.S. actions. UN ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said Moscow "firmly condemns the act of armed aggression by the United States against Venezuela in breach of all norms of international law," calling for the immediate release of President Maduro and his wife. He accused Washington of seeking control over Venezuela's natural resources and of generating "fresh momentum for neocolonialism and imperialism."

The United Nations leadership also expressed concern over the implications of the military actions.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he remains deeply concerned that international law was not respected in the January 3 military actions, stressing that the UN Charter prohibits the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state. He warned of the risk of increased instability in Venezuela and the region, and called for adherence to international law, dialogue and peaceful coexistence.

(With input from agencies)