The Secretary General of the UN, Antonio Guterresexpressed this Monday through the Undersecretary for Political Affairs, Rosemary A. DiCarlo, her “deep concern” about the military action deployed by USA in Venezuela, and which ended with the arrest of the president Nicolas Maduro.
Guterres, when addressing that route to the Security Councilcalled to respect international law, which “prohibits the use of force against the territorial integrity of States,” report the agency Efe.
Venezuela:@antonioguterrestold the Security Council that he remains deeply concerned that international law has not been respected in relation to the January 3 US military action in Venezuela.
“The maintenance of peace and security… pic.twitter.com/EhPJ1YZXG9
— United Nations (@ONU_es) January 5, 2026
In turn, he expressed his concern about the possible “intensification of internal instability” in Venezuela and the impact that the situation could have on the region.
Furthermore, he urged all Venezuelan actors to participate in an “inclusive and democratic dialogue that respects human rights, the rule of law and the sovereignty of the people.”
Guterres recalled that, at the time of his intervention before the Council, Maduro was detained in New York, accused along with his wife, Cilia Flores, of serious crimes by the US authorities.
He also stressed the need to “respect international law, including the United Nations Charter, which prohibits the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of States.”
He also stressed that international peace depends on the commitment of all countries to comply with these standards.
The UN Secretary General, quoted by DiCarlo, pointed out that the US operation affected Caracas and the states of Miranda, Aragua and La Guaira, although the exact number of victims is not yet known, some sources put it at around 80.
Colombia, Russia and China condemn the attack on Venezuela
In her intervention before the members of the UN Security Council convened to analyze the situation, the permanent representative of Colombia, Leonor Zalabata, stated that Maduro’s detention “violates international law and the UN charter.”
A similar position was taken by Russia, which described the United States operation as “criminal” and demanded the “immediate” release of the Venezuelan president.
The Russian representative to the UN, Vasily Nebenzya, described the US action in Venezuela as “an act of aggression.” https://t.co/qvzHDRTbWi pic.twitter.com/NJkEkxhKPC
— EFE News (@EFEnoticias) January 5, 2026
Ambassador Vasily Nebenzya assessed what happened in Caracas as “an act of aggression” and warned that the so-called “rules-based world order” promoted by the United States and some of its allies has been applied “selectively, according to political interests,” generating “negative consequences for international stability.”
For its part, the representation of China maintained that the “serious concern” expressed by its government regarding the capture of the Venezuelan president and his wife by the United States is sustained.
In that sense, he asked for his “immediate release” and pointed out Washington for violating international law and the principles of the United Nations Charter.
This Monday, the authorities in Beijing stated that they were “deeply shocked” by the United States military attacks against Venezuela and condemned what they described as a “blatant use of force” that violates international law and threatens peace in Latin America and the Caribbean.
The United States denies war and occupation
In his turn to speak, Mike Waltz, representative of the United States to the UN, denied that his country is at war “against Venezuela.”
US to the UN: “There is no war against Venezuela or its people. We are not occupying a country. This was a law enforcement operation in support of legal accusations that have existed for decades.” pic.twitter.com/ZVkUqfD0VV
— RT Ultima Hora (@RTultimahora) January 5, 2026
Furthermore, he ruled out that the arrest of President Maduro, and the subsequent decision to govern the attacked nation until there is a political transition, represents an occupation.
“There is no war against Venezuela or its people. We are not occupying any country,” he assured when addressing the members of the Security Council.
