US actions in Venezuela ‘set a dangerous precedent’: Guterres
U.S. President Donald Trump made the announcement on social media, and the U.S. attorney general said Mr. Maduro and his wife would face “the full wrath of American justice on American soil, in American courts,” based on a 2020 narcoterrorism indictment during the first Trump administration in New York.
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro addresses the United Nations General Assembly in 2018.
The American operation began with nighttime strikes in and around the capital Caracas. Venezuela has declared a national emergency, with the number of casualties and extent of damage yet to be confirmed.
The Venezuelan government denounced the act of “extremely serious military aggression” by the US, which followed months of mounting tension, including a major military build-up off Venezuela’s coast and a series of deadly attacks on suspected drug smuggling boats.
The US has ordered the seizure of sanctioned oil tankers in recent weeks amid threats that it would launch land operations to force Mr Maduro from office.
Rule of law
“The Secretary General is deeply concerned by the recent escalation in Venezuela, culminating in United States military action in the country. This has potentially worrying consequences for the region“, said a statement from UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric.
“Regardless of the situation in Venezuela, these developments set a dangerous precedent. The Secretary-General continues to emphasize the importance of full respect – by all – of international law, including the UN Charter,” the statement continued.
“He is very concerned about the fact that the rules of international law are not being respected.”
Mr Guterres called on all parties involved to engage in an “inclusive dialogue” in accordance with human rights and international law.
Protection of Venezuelans
The UN human rights chief Volker Turk too called for restraint and full respect for international law. “The protection of the people of Venezuela is of paramount importance and must guide any further action”, he added.
Venezuela has formally requested this Security Council to meet in emergency session in New York and A meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday morning.
At a press conference late Saturday morning at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, President Trump said the US intended to “govern Venezuela” until there has been a “safe, proper and judicious transition of power.”
As the country with the world’s largest oil reserves, he added that US oil companies would modernize and renovate infrastructure “to make money for the country.”
Maybe it doesn’t make it right
Responding to the crisis, Annalena Baerbock, president of the UN General Assembly, said the “guiding framework” in the coming days must be the UN Charter, which is not an “optional document”.
She said Article 2 clearly states that all member states, including the US, must refrain from the “threat or use of force” against the territory or political independence of any other country.
“A peaceful, safe and just world for all is only possible when the rule of law prevails instead of might makes right” she warned.
Rights scrutiny is intensifying amid the unrest
The UN Independent international fact-finding mission on Venezuela has expressed serious concerns about the human rights situation in the country following the US attack and capture of President Maduro, and urged that responsibility for long-documented abuses should not be overshadowed by the evolving crisis.
Chairman of the independent investigation team appointed by the Council for Human RightsMarta Valiñas said the focus must remain on “serious human rights violations and crimes against humanity” committed against Venezuelans, regardless of the accusations cited by the US to justify their actions.
The mission has previously documented a pattern of abuse, including extrajudicial killings, arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances – often short-lived – torture and other ill-treatment, as well as sexual and gender-based violence.
Expert member Alex Neve emphasized that alleged violations do not justify military intervention in violation of international law, while the illegality of such intervention does not alter the responsibility of Venezuelan officials for years of repression, which amounts to crimes against humanity.
Concerns about US intention to ‘send’ Venezuela
Another independent investigator, Maria Eloisa Quintero, underlined that responsibility is not limited to Mr. Maduro, but extends to others who commanded security forces or otherwise contributed to the crimes.
Researchers warned of the increased volatility and pointed to the risk of further violations amid the declared state of emergency and Washington’s claims that it plans to “steer” the country.
It said it was closely monitoring developments and called on Venezuelan and US authorities, as well as the international community, to uphold international law and put human rights first.
