UN Warns US Action in Venezuela Undermines International Law

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The head of the UN Human Rights Office, Volker Türk, has warned that the United States’ military operation in Venezuela and the kidnapping of President Nicolás Maduro over the weekend have undermined core principles of international law, particularly the prohibition on the use of force against a sovereign state.

In a statement posted on X and cited by Anadolu, Türk said the operation violated fundamental legal norms governing relations between states. He also stressed that "states must not use force to pursue their territorial claims or political demands."

“Venezuelan society needs healing and the country’s future must be decided by its people,” Türk wrote.

Separately, Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said the office was deeply concerned about the situation in Venezuela following the US intervention.

She said the operation had clearly undermined a key principle of international law: that states must not threaten or use force against the territorial integrity or political independence of another country.

Shamdasani noted that Washington had justified its actions by citing the Venezuelan government’s long-standing human rights record. However, she emphasized that accountability for human rights violations cannot be achieved through unilateral military action that itself violates international law.

“The U.S. has justified its intervention on the grounds of the Venezuelan Government’s longstanding and appalling human rights record, but accountability for human rights violations cannot be achieved by unilateral military intervention in violation of international law,“ the human rights office said in its statement.

“The people of Venezuela deserve accountability through a fair, victim-centred process.”

Citing ongoing rights violations in the country, the office warned that renewed instability and further militarization resulting from the US operation could worsen the situation for Venezuelan citizens.

The High Commissioner called on the United States, Venezuelan authorities, and the broader international community to ensure full respect for international law, including international human rights standards.

The statement reiterated that Venezuela’s future must be determined by its people, "with full respect for their human rights, including the right to self-determination, and sovereignty over their lives and their resources."

The comments come amid a sharp escalation following months of heightened tension between Washington and Caracas.

In the early hours of Saturday, US forces launched a large-scale operation in Venezuela, coinciding with the anniversary of the overthrow of former Panamanian leader Manuel Antonio Noriega.

President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were taken into custody and flown to the United States to stand trial.

They appeared for the first time in federal court in Manhattan on Monday, where both denied all charges outlined in an indictment issued under the Trump administration. Their next court hearing is scheduled for March 16.

The US action has drawn widespread international reaction. At an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council, most members condemned the operation, describing it as a violation of Article 2 of the UN Charter.

Several delegations also warned against normalizing regime change through the use of force and questioned the broader implications for international peace and stability.

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