The United Nations condemns the US operation in Venezuela and the arrest of Maduro

The United Nations on Tuesday expressed its deep concern and outright rejection of the US military operation in Venezuela, which resulted in the arrest of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, amidst aerial bombardment and a massive naval deployment. The international organization deemed this action a dangerous precedent that undermines fundamental principles of international law and the UN Charter.

Violation of national sovereignty

In a press statement from Geneva, Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, affirmed that the international community is bound by strict rules prohibiting the use of force against the sovereignty of states. Shamdasani stated, "States must not threaten or use force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state." These remarks came as a direct response to the swift operation launched by Washington on Saturday morning, justified by the need to put an end to human rights violations.

Context of the historical tension between Washington and Caracas

This military event cannot be separated from a long history of escalating tensions between the United States and Venezuela. Since the rise of the Chavista movement to power, relations have steadily deteriorated, exacerbated in recent years by Washington's imposition of harsh economic sanctions on Venezuela's oil sector and key government figures. Successive US administrations have long considered the Maduro regime illegitimate, particularly after presidential elections whose fairness was questioned by Western powers. However, the shift from economic sanctions and diplomatic pressure to direct military intervention represents a radical change in the rules of engagement in the Americas.

Human rights do not justify military intervention

In response to the US justifications based on the Maduro regime's "horrific record of historical violations," the UN spokesperson clarified the organization's precise position. While the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has been documenting the ongoing deterioration of human rights and living conditions in Venezuela for over a decade, she emphasized that "accountability for human rights violations cannot be achieved through unilateral military intervention that violates international law." She pointed out that addressing internal problems does not give any foreign state the right to launch military attacks and forcibly change regimes.

Fears of chaos and regional repercussions

The United Nations warned that this operation could have disastrous consequences. Shamdasani added, "We fear that the current instability and further militarization of the country resulting from the US intervention will only worsen the situation." The international community fears that the sudden political vacuum and foreign intervention could lead to bloody internal conflicts or exacerbate the refugee and migration crisis already affecting neighboring Latin American countries, posing unprecedented security and humanitarian challenges to the entire region.