Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro addresses the United Nations General Assembly in 2018.
The US operation began with night attacks in and around the capital, Caracas. Venezuela has declared a state of national emergency, and casualty numbers and the extent of damage have yet to be confirmed.
The Venezuelan government denounced the act of “extremely serious military aggression” by the United States, which came after months of growing tension, including a major military buildup off the coast of Venezuela and a series of deadly attacks on suspected drug trafficking vessels.
The United States ordered the seizure of sanctioned oil tankers in recent weeks amid threats that it would launch ground operations to force Maduro from office.
rule of law
“The Secretary-General is deeply alarmed by the recent escalation in Venezuela, culminating in US military action in the country, which has potentially worrying implications for the region,” said a statement issued by UN spokesman Stéphane Dujarric.
“Regardless of the situation in Venezuela, these events constitute a dangerous precedent. The Secretary-General continues to emphasize the importance of full respect – by all – of international law, including the Charter of the United Nations,” the statement continues.
“He is deeply concerned that the norms of international law have not been respected.”
Guterres called on all parties involved to engage in an “inclusive dialogue” in accordance with human rights and international law.
Protection of Venezuelans
UN human rights chief Volker Türk also called for restraint and full respect for international law. “The protection of the people of Venezuela is paramount and must guide any future action,” he added.
Venezuela has formally asked the Security Council to meet in an emergency session in New York.
During a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, President Trump said the United States intended to “govern Venezuela” until there is a “safe, proper and judicious transition of power.”
As a country with the world’s largest oil reserves, he added that American oil companies would modernize and renew infrastructure “to make money for the country.”