South Africa has condemned the United States for its unilateral military strikes on Venezuela and the abduction of President Nicolás Maduro and his spouse, calling the actions a violation of international law and a threat to global stability.
Speaking at an emergency United Nations Security Council (UNSC) meeting on Monday, Acting Deputy Permanent Representative Jonathan Passmoor said the US operation undermined Venezuela’s sovereignty and the foundational principles of the UN Charter.
“Unlawful, unilateral force of this nature undermines the stability of the international order and the principle of equality among nations,” he told the 15‑member body.
The condemnation followed Saturday’s dramatic US special forces raid in Caracas during which Maduro and his wife were seized and flown to New York.
On Sunday, Maduro appeared in Manhattan federal court, pleading not guilty to drug trafficking and weapons charges.
Washington has said it intends to oversee Venezuela until a “judicious transition” occurs while also asserting control over the country’s vast oil reserves.
Passmoor warned that military invasions of sovereign states often deepen crises, citing Libya, Iraq and interventions in Africa as examples.
“We have seen examples of these in Libya, Iraq, and countless cases in Africa, where foreign interventions and interference create security crises and undermine national governance institutions cultivated through nuanced and complex national contexts.”
He stressed that allegations of governance failures or criminal acts by leaders cannot justify breaches of Article 2(4) of the UN Charter, which prohibits the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state.
South Africa urged the UNSC to uphold international law and support dialogue among Venezuelans themselves.
Several Latin American countries have also called for a peaceful resolution without external interference.
The UNSC meeting highlighted fears that the US action could set a precedent for other powers to justify invasions, raising concerns about wider instability in the global order.
JN/APA