New york: UN Secretary-General Ant³nio Guterres has voiced significant concerns regarding the growing instability in Venezuela in the wake of the United States' recent move to detain President Nicol¡s Maduro. This comes amid assurances from the US that it does not intend to assume control over Venezuela.
According to Thai News Agency, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), comprising 15 member nations, convened an emergency meeting at its New York headquarters on Monday. This meeting preceded President Maduro's anticipated appearance in a U.S. federal court on charges of drug trafficking and conspiracy to commit transnational terrorism, charges which he denies.
During the meeting, Mr. Guterres, through Rosemary DiCarlo, the UN's political chief, expressed apprehensions about the potential exacerbation of instability within Venezuela. He highlighted the possible regional repercussions and the emerging norms in interstate relations as reasons for concern.
Mr. Guterres urged all factions within Venezuela to pursue democratic and inclusive dialogue, offering his support for any initiatives aimed at achieving a peaceful resolution for the Venezuelan populace.
Despite these diplomatic efforts, the UN Secretary-General raised alarms that the operation to apprehend Maduro in Caracas might have breached international law. He referenced the UN Charter, which mandates member states to avoid intimidation or force against the territorial integrity or political sovereignty of other states.
US Ambassador to the United Nations, Mike Waltz, addressed the Council, invoking Article 51 of the UN Charter concerning self-defense rights. He justified the action as a lawful measure against transnational criminals sought by US justice, specifically targeting Mr. Maduro and his wife, Celia Flores.
Ambassador Waltz emphasized, echoing Secretary of State Marco Rubio, that the United States is neither at war with Venezuela nor intending to occupy it. However, he stressed that the US will not permit the Western Hemisphere to be exploited as a stronghold for adversaries, nor will it allow Venezuela's vast energy resources to be controlled by what he described as an illegitimate leader who does not serve the people's interests.
In response, Venezuelan Ambassador to the United Nations, Samuel Moncada, condemned the US operation as an illegal and unwarranted armed assault, while asserting that Venezuelan institutions remain operational and stable.