UN Warns US Military Ousting of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro Violates International Law

Geneva: The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has voiced deep worry about the situation in Venezuela following the United States’ recent military operation that resulted in the illegal ousting and capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro over the weekend. The high commissioner’s office criticised the action as a serious breach of international law and warned that it could worsen the humanitarian and political crisis in the Latin American nation.

The statement, delivered by OHCHR spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani at a press briefing in Geneva, said the U S military action “undermined a fundamental principle of international law” — that states must not threaten or use force against the territorial integrity or political independence of another state. The United States had justified its intervention by pointing to Venezuela’s long-standing and severe human rights violations, but the UN rights office stressed that accountability for human rights abuses cannot be pursued through unilateral military action that violates international norms.

The High Commissioner’s office also cautioned that the ongoing instability and increased militarisation in Venezuela following the intervention could further deteriorate conditions for ordinary Venezuelans, many of whom have already suffered years of economic hardship, political repression, and rights violations. A state of emergency declared by Venezuelan authorities has raised additional concerns, as it grants powers including restrictions on freedom of movement, seizure of property for defence purposes, and suspension of the rights to assembly and protest.

Calling for full respect for international law and human rights, the UN rights chief urged both the U S and Venezuelan authorities, as well as the international community, to uphold these principles. The future of Venezuela, the statement stressed, must be determined by the Venezuelan people alone, with full respect for their human rights, including self-determination and sovereignty over their lives and resources.

The UN’s remarks come amid widespread global debate over the legality and consequences of the U S operation, and renewed focus on the deep humanitarian needs facing the Venezuelan population.