United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has expressed profound concern following an attack by the United States on Venezuela, which resulted in the forced removal of President Nicolás Maduro and the First Lady from the country.
In the wake of the U.S. military action, Venezuela and Colombia—backed by Russia and China—have formally requested an emergency session of the UN Security Council. However, no meeting of the 15-member council has been scheduled thus far.
Stéphane Dujarric, spokesperson for the Secretary-General, stated that the actions taken by the United States send a “dangerous message” to the international community. He emphasized that Secretary-General Guterres underscores the critical importance of all parties adhering to international law, including the UN Charter. Dujarric further noted that the Secretary-General is deeply troubled by the apparent disregard for international legal frameworks in this situation.
The UN Security Council has previously convened twice—in October and December—to address the escalating tensions between Venezuela and the United States.
In a formal letter requesting a Security Council meeting, Venezuela’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Samuel Moncada, asserted that the United States has launched a military aggression against a sovereign and peaceful nation. He stated that such actions jeopardize regional and international peace and security. Furthermore, Ambassador Moncada emphasized that the U.S. has committed a flagrant violation of the UN Charter, which strictly prohibits the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state.
