The UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, expressed his concern regarding the escalating conflicts in Venezuela and called for dialogue among all parties, as reported by the organization's spokesperson.
On January 3, the United States conducted attacks on facilities in Venezuela, during which the country's president, Nicolás Maduro, and his wife were arrested by American military forces. That same evening, Maduro was taken to a detention center in Brooklyn.
“The situation in Venezuela creates a dangerous precedent, regardless of the circumstances. The Secretary-General emphasizes the need for strict adherence to international law by all parties, including the UN Charter. He is concerned that international norms have not been upheld,” the spokesperson's statement said.
Volker Turk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, reminded of the importance of protecting the citizens of Venezuela.
“The protection of the Venezuelan population must be a priority and the basis for further actions,” he noted.
The President of the UN General Assembly, Annalena Baerbock, commenting on the current events, emphasized that in times of crisis, it is essential to adhere to the UN Charter, which requires all member states to refrain from “the threat or use of force” against the territorial integrity or political independence of other countries.
Experts from the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela expressed serious concern regarding the human rights situation following the US attacks and the arrest of Maduro. They called on the authorities of both countries and the international community to ensure compliance with international law.
“The long history of serious human rights violations by the Maduro government does not justify US military intervention, which violates international law. At the same time, the illegality of US actions does not diminish the responsibility of Venezuelan officials, including Maduro, for repression and violence over many years,” stated mission expert Alex Nev.
