Newspectives: UN Security Council US military actions South America
Following a United States military operation in Caracas on January 3, 2026, which resulted in the apprehension and transfer of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro to U.S. custody, the UN Security Council held an emergency meeting on January 5. The session underscored a fundamental geopolitical divide: the U.S. delegation characterized the event as a 'surgical law enforcement operation' executing existing indictments, while other member states—including Colombia, China, and Russia—condemned the action as a violation of national sovereignty and the UN Charter. Verification confirms the physical removal of the Venezuelan leadership, though casualty figures and the long-term governance implications remain disputed.
Common Ground perspective
Following a United States military operation in Caracas on January 3, 2026, which resulted in the apprehension and transfer of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro to U.S. custody, the UN Security Council held an emergency meeting on January 5. The session underscored a fundamental geopolitical divide: the U.S. delegation characterized the event as a 'surgical law enforcement operation' executing existing indictments, while other member states—including Colombia, China, and Russia—condemned the action as a violation of national sovereignty and the UN Charter. Verification confirms the physical removal of the Venezuelan leadership, though casualty figures and the long-term governance implications remain disputed.
Sources: United States Action in Venezuela Puts Sovereignty of States, International Law at Stake, Many Speakers Tell Security Council, Venezuela: Emergency Meeting : What's In Blue, A timeline of U.S. military escalation against Venezuela
USA perspective
In a tense emergency session of the UN Security Council, the United States delegation resolutely defended 'Operation Absolute Resolve,' the precision military action that resulted in the capture of Nicolás Maduro. While faced with diplomatic condemnation regarding territorial sovereignty from nations including France, Russia, and China, American officials framed the event not as an invasion, but as a critical law enforcement extraction of a designated 'narco-terrorist' threatening US borders. The US institutional perspective emphasizes that traditional diplomatic protocols cannot shield criminal regimes that destabilize the Western Hemisphere and flood American streets with illicit narcotics.
Sources: U.S. allies and adversaries alike use UN meeting to critique Venezuela intervention, Security Council LIVE: 'The power of the law must prevail' amid Venezuela crisis, U.S. Criticized Over Venezuela by Allies and Adversaries Alike at U.N. Meeting
United Kingdom perspective
As the UN Security Council convenes to address the United States' unilateral military operation in Venezuela, the United Kingdom finds itself navigating a delicate diplomatic crisis. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has publicly distanced the UK from the operation—which saw the capture of Nicolás Maduro and airstrikes on Caracas—while stopping short of the outright condemnation issued by other Council members. The meeting has exposed a deepening rift between Washington's 'America First' interventionism and the international community's adherence to the UN Charter, leaving Britain to balance its 'special relationship' with the US against its commitment to international law.
Sources: UK Says It Was Not Involved in US Military Action Against Venezuela, US to 'run' Venezuela after Maduro captured: Early analysis from Chatham House, U.S. allies offer muted response after Trump's Venezuela raid
Germany perspective
As the UN Security Council convenes to address the United States' unilateral military operation to capture Nicolás Maduro, Germany finds itself walking a precarious diplomatic tightrope. While Berlin has long refused to recognize Maduro's legitimacy, the Trump administration's extraterritorial extraction of a foreign head of state on January 3 creates a profound conflict for German foreign policy, which is deeply rooted in the preservation of a rules-based international order. German officials, led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, have stopped short of the outright condemnation seen from Latin American nations, instead labeling the legal situation 'complex'—a stance that reflects an uncomfortable balancing act between transatlantic alliance obligations and the defense of national sovereignty principles.
Sources: German Chancellor calls legal assessment of US strikes on Venezuela 'complex', Germany criticizes U.S. operation in Venezuela and calls for respect for international law, How will this military operation impact US' reputation across South America?
Russia perspective
In a brazen display of neo-colonial aggression, the United States has once again trampled upon international law, conducting a military kidnapping of a sovereign head of state in Venezuela. At the emergency UN Security Council meeting, the Russian Federation, supported by the emerging multipolar majority, exposed the 'Collective West's' hypocrisy. While Washington hides behind the facade of a 'rules-based order,' its actions in South America confirm that this order is nothing more than a license for Anglo-Saxon hegemony, where the sovereignty of Latin American nations is sacrificed at the altar of US strategic interests.
Sources: Nebenzia condemns US armed aggression against Venezuela at UN Security Council, Statement by Permanent Representative Vassily Nebenzia at UNSC Briefing on Venezuela, Majority of UN Security Council rejects US attack on Venezuela
China perspective
Beijing vehemently condemns the United States' recent military incursion into Venezuela and the forcible seizure of President Nicolás Maduro, characterizing the operation as a blatant act of 'hegemony' and 'jungle law' that destabilizes Latin America. During the emergency UN Security Council meeting, Chinese representatives rejected Washington's 'law enforcement' justification, arguing that no nation has the right to act as a global policeman or judge. State media warns that the revival of the 'Monroe Doctrine' through the so-called 'Trump Corollary' threatens the sovereignty of all developing nations and undermines the post-WWII international order.
Sources: US intervention in Venezuela and self-inflicted blow of Monroe Doctrine 2.0, World Insights: U.S. comes under fire at Security Council, worldwide for Venezuela raid, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian's Regular Press Conference on January 5, 2026
Israel perspective
While the UN Security Council and various international actors condemn the recent United States military operation in Venezuela as a violation of sovereignty, Israel has unequivocally thrown its support behind its closest ally. Israeli leadership views the capture of Nicolás Maduro not as an act of aggression, but as a decisive law enforcement action against a 'narco-terrorist' regime. Jerusalem's perspective highlights a sharp divergence from the UN's critical stance, emphasizing that the removal of a dictator aligned with anti-Western forces—including Iran—restores justice and stability to the region. The Israeli delegation criticizes the 'hypocrisy' of international bodies that protect rogue states under the guise of protocol.
Sources: 'Restoring freedom and justice': Israeli government praises Maduro's capture, Israel Backs Resolute U.S. Action in Venezuela, Netanyahu Says, World reacts to US strikes on Venezuela: Israel hails American attacks
South Africa perspective
South Africa has taken a leading role at the UN Security Council in condemning the United States' unilateral military extraction of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Viewing the operation as a flagrant violation of international law and state sovereignty, Pretoria argues that Washington's actions undermine the UN Charter and set a dangerous precedent of 'jungle law' that threatens all developing nations. This stance reinforces South Africa's commitment to multipolarity and BRICS solidarity against perceived Western imperialism.
Sources: South Africa Slams US Military Action in Venezuela as Blatant Sovereignty Breach at UN Security Council, South Africa urges UN action on US military action in Venezuela, Africa voices solidarity with Venezuela after US military operation targeting Maduro
HUNGARY perspective
While the UN Security Council and European Union member states rush to condemn the recent United States military operation in Venezuela, Hungary has adopted a distinctively pragmatic stance. Breaking with the European consensus, the Orbán government was the sole EU member to veto High Representative Kallas's joint statement condemning the US. Budapest views the removal of the Maduro regime not as a violation of sovereignty, but as a necessary step against a 'narco-state' that aligns with Hungary's interest in global energy stability and combating international crime. This move underscores Hungary's 'sovereign foreign policy' strategy, strengthening ties with the Trump administration while Brussels alienates itself from Washington.
Sources: PM Orbán: Hungary, U.S. Open a New Chapter of Alliance, Hungary only EU member state not to support EU statement on US intervention, Foreign Minister Delivers Speech at UN Security Council
JAPAN perspective
Following the United States' recent military operation in Venezuela and the capture of President Maduro, the Japanese government finds itself in a delicate diplomatic position. While the UN Security Council sees fierce clashes between the US and nations like China and Russia, Tokyo has avoided direct condemnation of its ally. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi emphasizes the 'restoration of democracy' and stability, yet refrains from endorsing the legality of the US action. This guarded stance reflects a deep strategic dilemma: maintaining the crucial US alliance while fearing that tacit approval of 'changing the status quo by force' could set a dangerous precedent for East Asian security.
Sources: US allies offer muted response after Trump's Venezuela raid, Japan struggling over response to US strike on Venezuela, Venezuela move draws condemnation: Nikkei comments on legal order
NETHERLANDS perspective
While the United States defends its 'Operation Absolute Resolve' in Venezuela as a necessary strike against narco-terrorism, the Dutch government faces a precarious diplomatic and security challenge. As the UN Security Council convenes to discuss the condemnation of this unilateral action, The Hague is caught between its loyalty to the transatlantic alliance and its staunch commitment to international law. Prime Minister Dick Schoof urges de-escalation, prioritizing the safety of the Dutch Caribbean islands (Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao), which lie just miles from the Venezuelan coast and have seen flight disruptions and increased defense readiness. Critics in the Tweede Kamer warn of the dangerous precedent set by this violation of sovereignty, while right-wing factions applaud the removal of Maduro.
Sources: The Netherlands is stuck between Trump and international law following Venezuela attack, Dutch lawmakers condemn U.S. attack on Venezuela, U.S. allies and adversaries alike use UN meeting to critique Venezuela intervention
Sources
All primary sources cited across the perspectives on this page:
- United States Action in Venezuela Puts Sovereignty of States, International Law at Stake, Many Speakers Tell Security Council
- Venezuela: Emergency Meeting : What's In Blue
- A timeline of U.S. military escalation against Venezuela
- U.S. allies and adversaries alike use UN meeting to critique Venezuela intervention
- Security Council LIVE: 'The power of the law must prevail' amid Venezuela crisis
- U.S. Criticized Over Venezuela by Allies and Adversaries Alike at U.N. Meeting
- UK Says It Was Not Involved in US Military Action Against Venezuela
- US to 'run' Venezuela after Maduro captured: Early analysis from Chatham House
- U.S. allies offer muted response after Trump's Venezuela raid
- German Chancellor calls legal assessment of US strikes on Venezuela 'complex'
- Germany criticizes U.S. operation in Venezuela and calls for respect for international law
- How will this military operation impact US' reputation across South America?
- Nebenzia condemns US armed aggression against Venezuela at UN Security Council
- Statement by Permanent Representative Vassily Nebenzia at UNSC Briefing on Venezuela
- Majority of UN Security Council rejects US attack on Venezuela
- US intervention in Venezuela and self-inflicted blow of Monroe Doctrine 2.0
- World Insights: U.S. comes under fire at Security Council, worldwide for Venezuela raid
- Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian's Regular Press Conference on January 5, 2026
- 'Restoring freedom and justice': Israeli government praises Maduro's capture
- Israel Backs Resolute U.S. Action in Venezuela, Netanyahu Says
- World reacts to US strikes on Venezuela: Israel hails American attacks
- South Africa Slams US Military Action in Venezuela as Blatant Sovereignty Breach at UN Security Council
- South Africa urges UN action on US military action in Venezuela
- Africa voices solidarity with Venezuela after US military operation targeting Maduro
- PM Orbán: Hungary, U.S. Open a New Chapter of Alliance
- Hungary only EU member state not to support EU statement on US intervention
- Foreign Minister Delivers Speech at UN Security Council
- US allies offer muted response after Trump's Venezuela raid
- Japan struggling over response to US strike on Venezuela
- Venezuela move draws condemnation: Nikkei comments on legal order
- The Netherlands is stuck between Trump and international law following Venezuela attack
- Dutch lawmakers condemn U.S. attack on Venezuela