Central American nations have united in condemnation of Donald Trump's recent statements on Venezuela, following the capture of former president Nicolás Maduro by US special forces. The operation, ordered by Trump, has sparked global backlash and fears of similar interventions elsewhere.
Maduro appeared in a New York court on Monday, pleading not guilty to charges of drug trafficking, weapons offenses, and narco-terrorism. He claimed to still be president of Venezuela and described his capture as illegal, calling himself a prisoner of war.
The UN Security Council held an emergency meeting where a dozen countries condemned the US action as a crime of aggression. UN Secretary-General António Guterres suggested the operation may have breached international law.
Trump justified the intervention as necessary to stem drug flows and seize Venezuelan oil, promising US control of the country's oil reserves. Central American nations have expressed alarm, warning that such actions could set a dangerous precedent for the region.
