By Jesús Centeno
United Nations, Jan 5 (EFE) – Most of the countries that participated in Monday’s emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council condemned the United States military operation in Venezuela and the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.
Argentina supported the operation, while other countries limited themselves to calling for respect for sovereignty and a peaceful transition.
The US assured that “there is no war against Venezuela or its people. We are not occupying a country. This was a law enforcement operation in furtherance of lawful indictments that have existed for decades.”
“The United States arrested a narcotrafficker who is now going to stand trial in the United States in accordance with the rule of law for the crimes he’s committed against our people for 15 years,” he added.
However, in a statement read by Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Rosemary A. DiCarlo, UN Secretary-General António Guterres insisted that national sovereignty, political independence, and territorial integrity must be respected.
Russia’s ambassador to the UN, Vassily Nebenzia, condemned what he called an armed aggression against Venezuela in violation of international law, and urged Washington to release the “legitimately elected President” and his spouse.
Vassily also warned that the United States seeks control over Venezuela’s natural resources, generating “fresh momentum for neocolonialism and imperialism.”
Colombia, which summoned the Security Council after the weekend’s attack, was also forceful in its condemnation.
The Colombian representative, Leonor Zalabata, stressed that the Charter of the UN permits the use of force only in exceptional circumstances, such as self-defence, and not to seize political control of another State.
“This sets deeply troubling precedents for the international order established after World War II and flagrantly violates international law in clear contradiction to the Charter of the United Nations and the very purpose for which this Council was created.”
China opposed “all acts of unilateralism and bullying” and called for the release of Maduro and his wife and for the UN Charter to be respected.
Calls for dialogue and Argentina’s support for the US
UK representative James Kariuki said “Maduro’s claim to power was fraudulent,” and hoped for a safe and peaceful transition to a legitimate Government.
Kariuki also recalled that the principles for international law “are essential for maintaining global peace, security and the rule of law.”
France said the US operation ”runs counter to the principle of peaceful dispute resolution and runs counter to the principle of non-use of force.”
Meanwhile, Argentina’s representative Francisco Tropepi openly supported Trump’s operation, calling Maduro a “dictator” and stating that his regime is a direct threat to the region.
Tropepi praised the United States’ determination and defended the capture of the Venezuelan president as “a measure to protect regional security and stability.”
On the opposite side, Cuba denounced the US “hegemonic and criminal plans” towards Venezuela.
The Spanish representative, Héctor Gómez Hernández, said that the US intervention sets “a very worrying precedent” and recalled that Venezuela’s natural resources are sovereign.
Spain called for a peaceful and democratic transition, aligning itself with Guterres’ call for inclusive dialogue.
Mexico also spoke, reiterating its condemnation of the military action on January 3, describing it as a violation of Article 2 of the United Nations Charter. EFE
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