{"id":311428,"date":"2026-01-12T12:00:20","date_gmt":"2026-01-12T12:00:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/?p=311428"},"modified":"2026-01-06T07:36:40","modified_gmt":"2026-01-06T07:36:40","slug":"maduro-seized-norms-tested-security-council-divided-as-venezuela-crisis-deepens","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/2026\/01\/maduro-seized-norms-tested-security-council-divided-as-venezuela-crisis-deepens\/","title":{"rendered":"Maduro Seized, Norms Tested: Security Council Divided as Venezuela Crisis Deepens"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"attachment_311429\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/caracas-venezuela.jpg\" ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-311429\" class=\"wp-image-311429\" src=\"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/caracas-venezuela-1024x464.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"700\" height=\"317\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/caracas-venezuela-1024x464.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/caracas-venezuela-300x136.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/caracas-venezuela-768x348.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/caracas-venezuela.jpg 1170w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-311429\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">A view of Caracas, the capital of Venezuela.\u00a0 \u00a9 UNICEF\/Gustavo Vera<\/p><\/div>\n<blockquote><p>5 Jan 2026 &#8211; <em>The UN Security Council met on Monday against a sharply altered diplomatic backdrop, following US strikes on the Venezuelan capital and seizure of President Nicol\u00e1s Maduro.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Why it matters: Council members are split over whether Washington\u2019s move upholds accountability \u2013 or undermines a foundational principle of international order.<\/p>\n<p>Some delegations argue the action was exceptional and justified; others warn it risks normalising unilateral force and eroding state sovereignty.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/news.un.org\/en\/story\/2026\/01\/1166701\" >Setting the tone<\/a>, the UN Secretary-General cautioned that international peace and security rest on all Member States adhering to the <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"http:\/\/www.un.org\/en\/charter-united-nations\/index.html\" >UN Charter<\/a> \u2013 language that framed a debate likely to expose deep and lasting divisions inside the chamber in New York \u2013 all as the Venezuelan leader appeared in a downtown federal courtroom just a few miles away.<\/p>\n<h2>US: Law-enforcement operation, not war<\/h2>\n<p>The United States rejected characterisations of its actions as military aggression, describing the operation as a targeted law enforcement measure facilitated by the military to arrest an indicted fugitive.<\/p>\n<p>Ambassador Michael Waltz said:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Nicol\u00e1s Maduro is not a legitimate head of State following disputed 2024 elections.<\/li>\n<li>Saturday\u2019s operation was necessary to combat narcotics trafficking and transnational organised crime threatening US and regional security.<\/li>\n<li>Historical precedents exist, including the 1989 arrest of Panama\u2019s former leader Manuel Noriega.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\u201cThere is no war against Venezuela or its people. We are not occupying a country,\u201d he said. \u201cThis was a law-enforcement operation in furtherance of lawful indictments that have existed for decades.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>Venezuela: Sovereignty violated; a dangerous precedent<\/h2>\n<p>Venezuelan Ambassador Samuel Moncada described his country as the target of an illegitimate armed attack lacking any legal justification, accusing the US of bombing Venezuelan territory, the loss of civilian and military lives, and the \u201ckidnapping\u201d of President Nicol\u00e1s Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe cannot ignore a central element of this US aggression,\u201d he said. \u201cVenezuela is the victim of these attacks because of its natural resources.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Calling on the Council to act under its Charter mandate, he urged that:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The US be required to respect the immunities of the president and his wife and ensure their immediate release and safe return;<\/li>\n<li>The use of force against Venezuela be clearly and unequivocally condemned;<\/li>\n<li>The principle of non-acquisition of territory or resources by force be reaffirmed; and<\/li>\n<li>Measures be adopted to de-escalate tensions, protect civilians and restore respect for international law.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"card-group w-50 float-end ms-5 mb-5\">\n<div class=\"card bg-light\">\n<div class=\"card-body\">\n<h2>Article 2 of the UN Charter in a nutshell<\/h2>\n<p><em><strong>The ground rules for global cooperation\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p>Article 2 lays out the core principles that guide how countries work together under the United Nations. Here\u2019s what it means:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Equality for all nations:<\/strong> Every Member State, big or small, is treated as an equal.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Keep your promises: <\/strong>Countries must honour the commitments they made when joining the UN.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Peaceful problem-solving: <\/strong>Disputes should be settled without violence, to protect peace and justice.<\/li>\n<li><strong>No force or threats: <\/strong>Nations must not use force or threaten others\u2019 independence or territory.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Support the UN\u2019s actions:<\/strong> Members should help the UN when it acts to maintain peace\u2014and never assist those opposing it.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Influence beyond membership:<\/strong> Even non-member States should follow these principles when peace and security are at stake.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Hands off domestic affairs:<\/strong> The UN cannot interfere in a country\u2019s internal matters \u2013 except when enforcing peace under Chapter VII, which deals with actions to preserve international peace and security.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Read more about the UN Charter <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.un.org\/en\/about-us\/un-charter\"  target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>here<\/strong><\/a><strong>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2>Concern over use of force<\/h2>\n<p>Several Council members and others invited to take part expressed deep concern over the US military action, grounding their positions firmly in the UN Charter.<\/p>\n<p>Colombia, Brazil, Mexico, Chile and Panama, underscored their region\u2019s long-standing declaration as a zone of peace and warned that unilateral military action risked destabilising the Western hemisphere and aggravating displacement flows.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Colombia, in its first intervention as an elected Council member, rejected \u201cany unilateral use of force\u201d and cautioned that civilians invariably pay the highest price.<\/li>\n<li>Brazil said the bombing and seizure of a head of State crossed an \u201cunacceptable line,\u201d warning of the erosion of multilateralism.<\/li>\n<li>Mexico stressed that externally imposed regime change violates international law regardless of political disagreements.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Ambassadors also cited a worrying human rights situation inside Venezuela and the suffering of civilians, highlighting the need to ensure compliance with international law:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The United Kingdom highlighted years of suffering endured by Venezuelans \u2013 poverty, repression and mass displacement \u2013 while underscoring that respect for the UN Charter and the rule of law is essential for global peace and security.<\/li>\n<li>Denmark and France acknowledged the imperative to combat organised crime and protect human rights \u2013 but warned that counter-narcotics efforts and accountability must be pursued through lawful, multilateral means.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Regional voices backing US action<\/h2>\n<p>A smaller group of countries from the region took a different view.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Argentina praised the US operation as a decisive step against narcotics trafficking and terrorism, arguing that the operation and Mr. Maduro\u2019s removal could open a path toward restoring democracy, the rule of law and human rights in Venezuela.<\/li>\n<li>Paraguay also welcomed Mr. Maduro\u2019s removal, calling for the immediate restoration of democratic institutions and the release of political prisoners, while urging that the transition proceed through democratic means.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Charter credibility at stake<\/h2>\n<p>Russia and China delivered some of the strongest criticism, characterising the US action as armed aggression and warning against the normalisation of unilateral force.<\/p>\n<p>This position was echoed by countries beyond the Americas \u2013 including South Africa, Pakistan, Iran and Uganda \u2013 which warned the selective application of international law risks undermining the entire collective security system.<\/p>\n<p>Representatives of Moscow and Beijing called for the immediate release of President Maduro and stressed the inviolability of head-of-State immunity under international law, framing the situation as a test of whether Charter principles apply equally to all States.<\/p>\n<p>Broadcast of the Security Council meeting regarding the situation in Venezuela:<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/webtv.un.org\/en\/asset\/k1k\/k1kem3z5nm\" >https:\/\/webtv.un.org\/en\/asset\/k1k\/k1kem3z5nm<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/news.un.org\/en\/story\/2026\/01\/1166706\" >Go to Original &#8211; news.un.org<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>5 Jan 2026 &#8211; The UN Security Council met on Monday against a sharply altered diplomatic backdrop, following US strikes on the Venezuelan capital and seizure of President Nicol\u00e1s Maduro.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":109474,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[82],"tags":[867,1441,417,3614,1126,1050,950,541,559,3530,86,2571,1190,329,2137,880,249,124,1888,70,557],"class_list":["post-311428","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-united-nations","tag-anglo-america","tag-big-oil","tag-bullying","tag-disaster-capitalism","tag-hegemony","tag-imperialism","tag-invasion","tag-latin-america-caribbean","tag-maduro","tag-military-capitalism","tag-occupation","tag-official-lies-and-narratives","tag-regime-change","tag-resources","tag-south-america","tag-state-terrorism","tag-trump","tag-united-nations","tag-unsc","tag-usa","tag-venezuela"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/311428","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=311428"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/311428\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":311431,"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/311428\/revisions\/311431"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/109474"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=311428"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=311428"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=311428"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}