The United Nations Security Council is set to hold an emergency meeting on Monday to address the escalating crisis in Venezuela following a bold US military operation that resulted in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife in Caracas.
The session, scheduled for 10 a.m. local time (1500 GMT), was announced by Khadija Ahmed, spokeswoman for Somalia’s Permanent Mission to the UN, which holds the rotating presidency for January.
The US action on Saturday has ignited a firestorm of international reactions, exposing deep divisions among world powers. Supporters like Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed it as “bold and historic leadership” by President Donald Trump in the name of freedom and justice. Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa echoed this sentiment, warning that “the time is coming for all the narco-Chavista criminals.”
However, condemnation has been swift and widespread. China expressed deep shock, strongly denouncing the use of force against a sovereign nation. France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot criticised the operation as a violation of the international law’s non-use of force principle, insisting that no external imposition can yield a lasting solution. Russia labelled it “armed aggression,” while Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva called the bombings an “unacceptable” breach of sovereignty that risks global chaos.
Other nations urged caution and dialogue. British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer emphasised the need to uphold international law and clarified the UK’s non-involvement. Australia’s Anthony Albanese called for restraint to prevent escalation, and Germany’s Foreign Ministry stressed respect for international norms. South Africa pushed for immediate UNSC intervention, and Canada, along with Latin American countries like Uruguay, Chile, and Colombia, advocated for peaceful, democratic resolutions.
Iran and Belarus joined the critics, demanding UN action against what they termed unlawful aggression. Panama and Paraguay monitored developments closely, prioritising voter will and orderly transitions. Bolivia reaffirmed its commitments to regional peace.
As the world watches, the UNSC meeting could shape the diplomatic response to this unprecedented event, potentially influencing Venezuela’s future and broader international relations. With Maduro in custody, questions loom over the country’s stability and the legitimacy of recent disputed elections.
