An emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council heard widespread condemnation of the United States on Monday after a raid on Venezuela resulted in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife. Delegates from Brazil, China, Colombia, Cuba, Russia and other nations denounced the operation as a violation of international law.
The Brazilian ambassador, Sérgio França Danese, described the bombings and capture as 'an unacceptable line' and 'a very serious affront to the sovereignty of Venezuela'. Colombia's representative, Leonor Zalabata Torres, said the action was reminiscent of 'the worst interference in our area in the past'. Russia's ambassador, Vasily Nebenzya, called the intervention 'a turn back to the era of lawlessness'.
US ambassador Mike Waltz defended the raid as a legitimate 'law enforcement' action to execute criminal indictments against an 'illegitimate' leader. He denied it was an act of war. Maduro faces charges including narco-terrorism, cocaine importation and weapons trafficking, which he has long denied.
UN Secretary General António Guterres expressed deep concern that the capture could intensify instability in Venezuela and the region. He questioned whether the operation respected international law and called for inclusive dialogue. The meeting was convened just hours before Maduro was due in a Manhattan court.
China's representative, Fu Cong, accused the US of 'wantonly trampling upon Venezuela’s sovereignty' and demanded an end to 'bullying and coercive practices'. Cuba's ambassador called the operation 'imperialist and fascist aggression'. Venezuela's ambassador Samuel Moncada described it as an 'illegitimate armed attack' and a 'kidnapping' of the constitutional president.
