By Babs Oyetoro
The United Nations has faulted the United States over its recent military operation in Venezuela, declaring that the air strikes and forcible seizure of the country’s leader violate established principles of international law.
Speaking on Tuesday in Geneva, the spokesperson for the UN Human Rights Office, Ravina Shamdasani, said international law clearly forbids any state from using force against the territorial integrity or political independence of another nation.
“This is exactly what we are seeing,” she said, urging the international community to unite in condemning actions she described as inconsistent with the legal framework agreed upon by UN member states.
Her remarks followed reports that US commandos, backed by warplanes, naval forces and air strikes, seized Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, during an early-morning operation on Saturday.
Maduro appeared before a New York court on Monday to contest drug trafficking and related charges filed by Washington, insisting he was kidnapped and remains Venezuela’s legitimate President.
He assumed office in 2013 after succeeding his political mentor, the late Hugo Chavez. The United States and the European Union have repeatedly accused Maduro of retaining power through manipulated elections, most recently in 2024, suppressing political opposition and presiding over widespread corruption.
While acknowledging the long-standing deterioration of human rights conditions in Venezuela, Shamdasani rejected the US justification for its actions, stressing that accountability for abuses cannot be pursued through unilateral military intervention.
“Using human rights as a justification for such action is unacceptable,” she said, warning that the operation is likely to aggravate the crisis further.
She also expressed concern over the state of emergency declared by Venezuelan authorities after the operation, which allows property seizures, restricts freedom of movement and suspends the right to protest.
“Rather than strengthening human rights, this intervention damages the international security system and makes all countries less safe,” Shamdasani added.
The UN Human Rights Office has continued to monitor developments in Panama since its international staff were expelled from Venezuela in early 2024.
Meanwhile, the UN humanitarian agency, OCHA, reported that nearly eight million people in Venezuela—about one-quarter of the population—were already in need of humanitarian assistance before the US operation.
The UN refugee agency, UNHCR, said it has not yet observed signs of mass displacement but remains on alert, noting that UN agencies are prepared to support emergency relief efforts and protect displaced persons if the situation deteriorates further.
