US actions in Venezuela ‘constitute a dangerous precedent’: Guterres
Peace and Security
The UN Secretary-General António Guterres has said he is “deeply alarmed” over the standoff between the United States and Venezuela in recent monthswhich culminated on Saturday morning in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro by US special forces.
US President Donald Trump made the announcement on social mediaand the US Attorney General said Mr. Maduro and his wife would face “the full wrath of American justice on American soilin American courts,” based on a 2020 narcoterrorism indictment during the first Trump administrationin New York.
The Venezuela President Nicolás Maduro addresses the United Nations General Assembly in 2018.
The US operation began with overnight strikes in and around the capitalCaracas. Venezuela has declared a state of national emergencywith casualty figures and the extent of the damage yet to be confirmed.
The Venezuelan Government denounced the act of “extremely serious military aggression” by the USwhich followed months of increasing tension including a major military build up off the Venezuela coast and a series of deadly strikes on alleged drug trafficking boats.
The US ordered the seizure of sanctioned oil tankers in recent weeks amid threats that it would launch land operations to force Mr. Maduro from office.
Rule of law
“The Secretary-General is deeply alarmed by the recent escalation in Venezuelaculminating with today’s United States military action in the country, which has potential worrying implications for the region,” said a statement issued by UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric.
“Independently of the situation in Venezuelathese developments constitute a dangerous precedent. The Secretary-General continues to emphasize the importance of full respect - by all - of international lawincluding the UN Charter,” the statement continued.
“He’s deeply concerned that the rules of international law have not been respected.”
Mr. Guterres called on all parties involved to engage in “inclusive dialogue” in accordance with human rights and international law.
Protection of Venezuelans
The UN human rights chief Volker Türk also called for restraint and full respect for international law. “The protection of the people of Venezuela is paramount and must guide any further action,” he added.
Venezuela has formally asked the Security Council to meet in emergency session in New York and a meeting has been scheduled for 10am on Monday morning.
During a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida late Saturday morningPresident Trump said that the US intended to “run Venezuela” until there is a “safeproper and judicious transition” of power.
As the country with the world's largest oil reserveshe added that US oil companies would modernise and renovate infrastructure “to make money for the country.”
Might does not make right
Responding to the crisisPresident of the UN General AssemblyAnnalena Baerbocksaid the “guiding framework” in the days ahead must be the UN Charterwhich is not an “optional document”.
She said Article 2 clearly stipulates that all Member Statesincluding the USneed to refrain from the “threat or use of force” against the territory or political independence of any other nation.
“A peacefulsafe and just world for everyone is only possible if the rule of law prevails instead of might makes right,” she warned.
Rights scrutiny intensifies amid turmoil
The UN Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela has voiced grave concern over the country’s human rights situation following the US attack and capture of President Madurourging that accountability for long-documented abuses must not be eclipsed by the unfolding crisis.
Chair of the independent investigative team appointed by the Human Rights CouncilMarta Valiñassaid the focus should remain on “grave human rights violations and crimes against humanity” committed against Venezuelansregardless of the charges cited by the US to justify its actions.
The Mission has previously documented a pattern of abuses including extrajudicial killingsarbitrary detentionenforced disappearances – often short-term – torture and other ill-treatmentas well as sexual and gender-based violence.
Expert member Alex Neve stressed that alleged violations do not justify a military intervention that breaches international lawwhile the illegality of such an intervention does not diminish the responsibility of Venezuelan officials for years of repressionamounting to crimes against humanity.
Concern over US intention to ‘run’ Venezuela
Another of the independent investigatorsMaria Eloisa Quinterounderlined that responsibility is not limited to Mr. Madurobut extends to others who exercised command over security forces or otherwise contributed to the crimes.
Warning of heightened volatilityinvestigators cited risks of further violations amid a declared state of emergency and assertions by Washington that it intends to “run” the country.
It said it is closely monitoring developments and called on Venezuelan and US authoritiesas well as the international communityto uphold international law and place human rights first.