Global Powers Demand Maduro’s Release as UN Condemns U.S. Action on Venezuela
Several global powers, including Venezuela, Russia, China, and the United Kingdom, have called on the United States to release Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, following a controversial U.S. military operation that led to their arrest.
According to Daily Nigerian, the calls came in the wake of a U.S. attack on Venezuela over the weekend, an action widely criticised by multiple countries as a violation of international law and the United Nations Charter.
At an emergency session of the UN Security Council held in New York on Monday, the ambassadors of Russia and China strongly condemned the U.S. operation, describing it as an unlawful use of force that threatens global stability.
Russia’s representative described the action as “a dangerous return to an era of lawlessness and domination by force,” warning that such conduct could further destabilise already fragile regions across the world. China echoed similar concerns, stressing that no nation has the right to act as the world’s police or unilaterally assume the role of an international judge.
Both Russia and China, permanent members of the Security Council, accused the United States of acting out of political and economic self-interest. Russia’s UN spokesperson warned that silence from the international community would erode the foundations of the global order.
China further cautioned that military intervention is not a solution to political crises, noting that the arbitrary use of force would only worsen instability and deepen conflict.
Several other countries, including Cuba, Iran, Colombia, and members of the Non Aligned Movement, aligned with Russia and China, describing the U.S. action as a clear breach of the UN Charter, particularly the prohibition against the use of force.
These countries maintained that Maduro remains Venezuela’s legitimate president, labeling his arrest a “kidnapping” and arguing that the immunity granted to sitting heads of state had been violated. They also warned that the incident could set a dangerous precedent for international relations.
Meanwhile, the United Kingdom, some EU-aligned states, Panama, and Chile stated that neither Maduro’s claim to the presidency nor the U.S. military action was legitimate. They collectively called for a peaceful, democratic transition driven by the Venezuelan people.
In London, hundreds of protesters gathered outside Downing Street, demanding Maduro’s release. Protesters chanted “Free Maduro” and listened to speeches from figures including Jeremy Corbyn and Richard Burgon, who urged Prime Minister Keir Starmer to challenge U.S. President Donald Trump over the operation.
The protest occurred as Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper addressed the House of Commons nearby. Some demonstrators were seen tearing a U.S. flag, highlighting the intensity of opposition to the U.S. action.
The U.S. government, however, defended the operation, describing it as a “surgical law-enforcement action” against what it called a narco-terrorist, insisting that Maduro was not Venezuela’s legitimate head of state.
U.S. authorities confirmed that Maduro and his wife were captured during early Saturday’s operation and flown to the United States, where Maduro was detained. Both face drug-related charges in New York and pleaded not guilty when they appeared in court on Monday.
The Venezuelan government requested the emergency UN Security Council session with the backing of Russia and China, arguing that the U.S. action endangered regional and global peace.
The five permanent members of the UN Security Council—Russia, China, the United States, France, and the United Kingdom—retain veto power over any proposed resolution.
Source: Daily Nigerian
