Widespread condemnation of US military aggression in Venezuela at emergency UN Security Council meeting
At an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council on Monday, January 5, 2026, the United States faced strong condemnation from several countries, including China, Russia, Colombia, Cuba, Mexico, Brazil, Chile, and even some US allies, for the January 3 military invasion that led to the kidnapping of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.
Representatives of these countries considered the US action a gross violation of international law, Venezuela’s sovereignty, and the UN Charter, and criticized the UN’s double standards.
The Chinese representative emphasized that this operation is a serious threat to peace in Latin America and violates the principles of non-intervention and the prohibition of the use of force.
Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia called for the immediate release of Maduro as the legitimate president, calling the US action a sign of neo-colonialism and an attempt to control Venezuela’s natural resources, and the Colombian representative warned that this instability could create a new wave of migration.
In an escalation of tensions, US President Donald Trump warned Colombia that it could face a similar military operation if it does not curb drug trafficking.
The US representative described the operation as a careful law enforcement action to arrest two drug suspects and emphasized that war has not been declared against Venezuela.
UN Deputy Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo described the situation as serious but said that wider conflict could still be prevented, emphasizing the need for inclusive dialogue and respect for sovereignty.
Maduro declared his innocence in a New York court on Monday on charges of terrorism, drug trafficking and trafficking, and continued to consider himself the legitimate president of Venezuela
