Daftarsbmptn.com – The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) held an emergency session on January 5, 2026, to discuss the impact of United States (US) military action against Venezuela, following the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by American forces in an operation that drew widespread condemnation. The US faced strong criticism from allies and adversaries alike, who argued that Washington’s actions violated the UN Charter, undermined international norms, and threatened regional stability.
US Strike and Its Impact
The US military operation on January 3, 2026, that led to the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife sparked a wave of global criticism. Many UNSC members stated that the use of force without a UN mandate constituted a fundamental violation of national sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the principle of non-intervention guaranteed by the UN Charter.
According to representatives of several countries on the UNSC, US actions not only exceeded the bounds of international law but also set a dangerous precedent that could erode the rules that restrain future unilateral military domination.
Condemnation from Various Countries
Several member state delegations condemned the US action, emphasizing that only through dialogue and multilateral legal processes can conflicts be resolved peacefully. The Chinese representative explicitly called the US action ‘unilateral, illegal, and intimidating,’ asserting that the operation seriously threatens peace and security worldwide.
The Russian delegation also strongly condemned the operation as armed aggression, called for the immediate release of President Maduro and his wife, and called for the issue to be resolved in accordance with international law and the UN Charter.
Colombia, which joined the condemnation, emphasized that unilateral military force violates the fundamental principles of international organizations and that no justification can justify the seizure of another country’s sovereignty.
Reactions from US Allies Also Diverse
Not only major opponents, but several US allies also expressed serious concerns. Representatives of European countries such as France and Denmark emphasized that while they were concerned about the political situation in Venezuela, the solution must be through dialogue and diplomacy, not military force. They emphasized that the UN Charter expressly prohibits the use of force against the territorial integrity of another state.
Meanwhile, statements from the UN itself, including from Secretary-General António Guterres, highlighted that this military action could exacerbate instability and have a far greater impact on regional peace, warning that failure to comply with the UN Charter could potentially undermine the credibility of the international legal system established after World War II.
Exploring the Meaning of the UN Charter Principles
The UN Charter explicitly states that all states must respect the sovereignty, political independence, and territorial integrity of others, and refrain from the threat or use of force in international relations. During the emergency session, several diplomats asserted that the US military operation violated this principle and called on the Council to act to maintain the credibility of the UN Charter.
Several countries also called on the UN Security Council to consider sanctions for this serious violation, apply diplomatic pressure on the United States, or at least issue a joint resolution affirming the inadmissibility of such military action.
Impact on Global and Regional Peace
The widespread criticism emerging from the UN Security Council reflects global concerns that the unilateral use of force by a major power could undermine peace mechanisms that have been built over decades. Diplomats warn that if such actions are left unchecked, regional and even global instability could escalate, particularly in Latin America, a region historically sensitive to foreign intervention.
The emergency session of the UN Security Council demonstrated strong condemnation from many countries, including both allies and adversaries of the United States, of the US military action in Venezuela. The action is considered a violation of the UN Charter, undermines the sovereignty of a sovereign nation, and sets a dangerous precedent for international law and global peace. Amid these complex geopolitical dynamics, the UN remains a crucial arena for multilateral diplomacy to address unilateral actions that have the potential to destabilize the international community.