UN Security Council to hold emergency meeting after US operation in Venezuela reportedly captures President Nicolas Maduro. UN chief Antonio Guterres warns of dangerous precedent, international law violations, and regional instability concerns.
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is scheduled to convene an emergency meeting on Monday to discuss the recent United States military operation in Venezuela, which reportedly led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. The extraordinary session reflects mounting international concern over the legality and regional consequences of the action.
According to the current presidency of the Security Council, held by Somalia for the month of January, the emergency meeting will take place at 10:00 a.m. local time (1500 GMT). Khadija Ahmed, spokeswoman for the Somali Permanent Mission to the United Nations, confirmed the timing of the meeting, stating that Security Council members would deliberate on the rapidly evolving situation. The development was first reported by Xinhua news agency.
The emergency session follows reports that US forces launched a surprise operation early Saturday morning in the Caracas. According to US officials, elite Delta Force units carried out a targeted assault on a Venezuelan military installation, culminating in the detention of President Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores. Officials said the operation concluded months of intensified military preparations and intelligence coordination.
US authorities have stated that Maduro and Flores were transferred to a US naval vessel and are being transported to the New York, where federal prosecutors have reportedly filed charges related to alleged narco-terrorism activities. Washington has long accused Maduro’s administration of involvement in international drug trafficking, accusations the Venezuelan government has consistently denied.
The operation has triggered sharp reactions at the United Nations, with Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressing grave concern. Through his spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, Guterres said he was “deeply alarmed” by the US action and warned that it could establish a dangerous precedent in international relations.
“Independently of the situation in the Venezuela, these developments constitute a dangerous precedent,” Dujarric said in a statement issued on Saturday. He added that the Secretary-General believes the military action carries “potential worrying implications for the region,” particularly at a time when Latin America remains politically and economically fragile.
Guterres also emphasized the importance of adhering to international law and the principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter. “The Secretary-General continues to stress the importance of full respect by all of the international law, including the UN Charter,” Dujarric said. He noted that Guterres is deeply concerned that established legal norms governing state sovereignty and the use of force may not have been respected.
In addition to legal concerns, the UN chief has called for a political solution rooted in dialogue. He urged all parties to pursue an inclusive process that respects human rights, democratic principles, and the rule of law. “An inclusive dialogue, in full respect of human rights and the rule of law, remains essential,” the spokesperson said.
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The emergency Security Council meeting is expected to feature intense debate, with several member states likely to question the legality of the US operation and its compliance with international norms. Others may focus on the broader implications for regional stability, diplomatic engagement, and the future of multilateral conflict resolution.
Diplomats say the outcome of the meeting could shape future international responses to unilateral military actions and set the tone for how the United Nations addresses similar crises going forward. While no formal resolution has been announced yet, the discussion itself underscores the seriousness with which the international community views the unfolding situation in the Venezuela.
