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 widespread human rights violations linked to drug trafficking and organised crime, and that his government had driven some eight million Venezuelans to flee the country, creating what Washington described as “the largest refugee crisis.”
These claims, however, are not supported by the United Nations or its agencies.
Venezuela rejected the allegations outright, describing the military action as criminal and the capture of Maduro and Flores as a “kidnapping.”
Caracas reiterated the widely held view among its allies that the operation was motivated by access to Venezuela’s natural resources, particularly oil.
Venezuela urged the Security Council to demand the immediate release of Maduro and his wife and the removal of any US control over Venezuelan resources.
While several countries acknowledged concerns over Maduro’s legitimacy, many emphasised that this did not justify his arrest or the use of force against a sovereign state.
South Africa was represented by Jonathan Passmoor, Political Counsellor and Acting Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN.
“Integral to the maintenance of international peace and security since the establishment of the United Nations is the understanding that no nation can claim to be legally or morally superior to another,” said Passmoor.
“We are all nations born out of different histories and contexts, ascribing to the common values and principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations. Chief amongst these principles is the sovereign equality of all its members.”
He stressed that the UN Charter demands the peaceful resolution of disputes and prohibits the use of force by one state against another.
In remarks likely to irritate Washington, Passmoor noted that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has repeatedly affirmed that international law prohibits the use of force and non-intervention in the internal affairs of states.
The United States is not a signatory to the ICJ.
“Unfortunately, when countries ignore the Charter and act contrary to its central premise, it undermines the credibility of the entire system through which we conduct international relations,” Passmoor told the security council.
South Africa explicitly stated that “the unilateral military strikes carried out by the United States of America against Venezuela, and the abduction of President Nicolás Maduro and his spouse from Venezuelan territory for transfer to the United States, wantonly violate the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of Venezuela.”
Pretoria argued that even allegations of criminality, human rights abuses, or governance failures must be addressed internally, and that any external action requires the consent of the affected state.
Several European countries, including Denmark, France and Spain, condemned the operation.
While some, such as Denmark, do not recognise Maduro as president, they warned that the action set a dangerous precedent.
Venezuela’s regional neighbours were divided.
Argentina openly supported the military action, with the government of President Javier Milei noting that it has long denounced Maduro and designated organisations within Venezuela as terrorist groups.
Panama appeared to express qualified support for the operation while simultaneously affirming Venezuela’s right to sovereignty.
Brazil rejected the military action, saying it “crosses a line,” while Nicaragua expressed full solidarity with Venezuela.
Iran used the platform to condemn not only the strike on Venezuela but also earlier attacks on its own nuclear facilities, arguing that UN “paralysis and inaction” had enabled the United States to act with impunity.
Eritrea, speaking on behalf of a group it described as the Group of Friends in Defence of the UN Charter, condemned the attack and called for the immediate release and return of Maduro and his wife, the removal of any US control over Venezuelan oil, and accountability for the United States.
Uganda delivered a statement on behalf of the 121-member Non-Aligned Movement, condemning the military action.
Cuba requested a right of reply to specifically reject US allegations that it maintains intelligence assets inside Venezuela.
Havana dismissed the claims and denounced the attack.
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