At an emergency UN Security Council meeting, representatives from countries including Brazil, China, Colombia, Cuba, Eritrea, Mexico, Russia, South Africa, and Spain have denounced as a "crime of aggression" US President Donald Trump's decision to launch deadly strikes on Venezuela and kidnap its leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores.
Brazilian ambassador Sérgio França Danese described the action as an "unacceptable line" that crosses into Venezuelan sovereignty. Other countries, such as Russia and China, demanded the immediate release of Maduro and Flores, with Moscow's ambassador Vasily Nebenzya labeling it a "turn back to the era of lawlessness".
The US claims its operation is a legitimate "law enforcement" action aimed at executing long-standing criminal indictments against an "illegitimate" leader. However, experts argue that this justification lacks merit given the lack of UN security council authorization, Venezuelan consent, and a clear self-defence rationale.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned that Maduro's capture could intensify instability in Venezuela and across the region, questioning whether the operation respected international law. He urged Venezuelan actors to engage in inclusive dialogue and offered UN support for a peaceful way forward.
The meeting comes just hours after Maduro was due to appear before a federal judge in Manhattan on charges including "narco-terrorism" conspiracy, cocaine importation, and weapons trafficking – allegations he has long denied.
Criticisms of the US action have poured in from various quarters. Colombia's ambassador Leonor Zalabata Torres condemned the move as a violation of Venezuela's sovereignty, while China demanded that the US cease its bullying practices and return to diplomatic solutions through dialogue and negotiations.
Despite mounting international condemnation, the US appears unlikely to face collective censure at the council due to its veto power held by one of five permanent members.
Brazilian ambassador Sérgio França Danese described the action as an "unacceptable line" that crosses into Venezuelan sovereignty. Other countries, such as Russia and China, demanded the immediate release of Maduro and Flores, with Moscow's ambassador Vasily Nebenzya labeling it a "turn back to the era of lawlessness".
The US claims its operation is a legitimate "law enforcement" action aimed at executing long-standing criminal indictments against an "illegitimate" leader. However, experts argue that this justification lacks merit given the lack of UN security council authorization, Venezuelan consent, and a clear self-defence rationale.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned that Maduro's capture could intensify instability in Venezuela and across the region, questioning whether the operation respected international law. He urged Venezuelan actors to engage in inclusive dialogue and offered UN support for a peaceful way forward.
The meeting comes just hours after Maduro was due to appear before a federal judge in Manhattan on charges including "narco-terrorism" conspiracy, cocaine importation, and weapons trafficking – allegations he has long denied.
Criticisms of the US action have poured in from various quarters. Colombia's ambassador Leonor Zalabata Torres condemned the move as a violation of Venezuela's sovereignty, while China demanded that the US cease its bullying practices and return to diplomatic solutions through dialogue and negotiations.
Despite mounting international condemnation, the US appears unlikely to face collective censure at the council due to its veto power held by one of five permanent members.
. I mean, I get why the US is trying to take action against Maduro and all that, but kidnapping him? That's a huge escalation 
. And what really gets me is that the US is basically saying its own laws are more important than international law 
. Like, isn't there a way to resolve this without resorting to force or even using the excuse of "law enforcement" as an excuse for aggression? 
.
. I mean, the UN Secretary-General is right on this one, we need to find a way to resolve this through dialogue and negotiations, not more aggression or threats 
. I think we need to be careful here and not jump to conclusions or assume everyone's got their facts straight 
.
so trump decides to launch attacks on venezuela and now everyone's like "oh wait, that wasn't cool" 
brazil and china are all like "hey usa, what's good?" 
- Mark Antony, "Julius Caesar", Act 1, Scene 2 (it seems like the US is indeed making a bold move, but will it be met with swift consequences?)
it's not exactly how diplomacy is supposed to work...
. And the US is saying it's all about enforcing some trumped-up law enforcement thingy? Give me a break 
They're right to say we need to stick to international law and diplomacy. The US could've taken a different approach... one that didn't involve all this aggression and bullying 
.
this whole thing just smells like a big mess... i mean what's next? US just gonna start taking people they don't like and 'kiddo' them without no justification? it's not exactly setting a good example for the rest of the world, especially when it comes to something as serious as violating someone's sovereignty. 
and it's got the whole world talking 
. Brazil and Colombia are like "Hey, no thanks" to this aggressive move 
". Russia's not happy either, saying it's a step back into lawlessness 
. This whole thing needs to be put on the table and seriously discussed 
. Can't wait to see how this drama unfolds 
#USVsVenezuela #InternationalLawMatters #GlobalResponsibility
... I mean, come on US, can't you just talk things out with Venezuela instead of trying to take over? 
... did the US even get a warrant or something? 
. I mean, back in my day we would've never done something like this without talkin' it out with everyone first. These countries are right to call it a "crime of aggression" - what's the point of all these indictments if you're just gonna go in there and start takin' people? 
(Alexander the Great)
they're saying it's a crime of aggression? are we living in a movie or something?! 