By Thebe Mabanga
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) largely condemned the United States’ military action in Venezuela and the arrest of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, with only a few dissenting voices supporting the operation.
While many members reiterated that they do not recognise Maduro’s presidency, most nevertheless rejected the use of force.
Argentina was among the countries that explicitly supported the military action.
At a special Security Council session convened by Somalia, which holds the rotating presidency for January, member states criticised the operation in tones ranging from measured to severe.
Several speakers described Maduro’s presidency as illegitimate following the disputed July 2024 elections but stressed that this did not justify external military intervention.
The meeting marked the first direct public confrontation between the United States and Venezuela since the weekend’s events.
The United States defended the operation as necessary, alleging that Maduro had overseen
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