International Concern After US Operation in Venezuela.

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After the US’ operation in Venezuela on the 3rd of January, with the abduction of President Nicolás Maduro, the UN human rights office expressed concerns about a violation of international law and the danger of this action. Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the UN rights office, stated that the international community must be united in recognizing this violation and that “states must not threaten or use force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state”. President Donald Trump has dismissed these accusations, saying that only his “own morality” guides the foreign policy decisions he has taken following the abduction of Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro.

U.S. forces carried out a surprise pre-dawn raid in Venezuela on January 3, detaining Mr. Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. The operation involved air strikes on the capital, Caracas, and other military targets, with explosions reported at Venezuelan bases. Dozens of Venezuelan military personnel were reportedly killed, along with at least two civilians. Washington flew Mr. Maduro to New York, where he faces U.S. criminal charges (including narco-terrorism) in federal court. Venezuela’s vice-president, Delcy Rodríguez, was sworn in as interim president two days after the raid.

International officials and rights groups swiftly condemned the intervention. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said he was “deeply worried” and stressed that the operation “undermined a fundamental principle of international law”. He warned that accountability for abuses “cannot be achieved by unilateral military intervention in violation of international law” and that further instability and militarization could worsen Venezuela’s crisis. The UN office urged full respect for the UN Charter and emphasized that the future of Venezuela “must be determined by the Venezuelan people alone”.

Leading human rights organizations also decried the U.S. actions. Amnesty International said the attack “most likely constitutes a violation of international law, including the UN Charter”, noting grave concerns for the safety of Venezuela’s population. Human Rights Watch described the U.S. operation as a “brazen military assault” that “risks causing a new human rights disaster” for Venezuelans. Both groups urged all sides to uphold humanitarian and human rights law amid fears of escalating abuses.

The Trump administration has defended the operation as necessary. U.S. officials cited Mr. Maduro’s alleged involvement in drug trafficking and human rights violations to justify the incursion. President Donald Trump declared that the United States would “run” Venezuela for now and exploit its oil resources, while saying it would work with interim leader Rodríguez. Trump and his aides have repeatedly warned of a possible “second strike” or further military action if the interim authorities do not comply with U.S. demands.