The United Nations has expressed serious concern over a recent United States military operation in Venezuela, warning that the action violated core principles of international law.
Speaking to journalists in Geneva on Tuesday, Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, said the operation undermined the rule prohibiting the use of force against another state.
“States must not threaten or use force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state,” Shamdasani said.
Her remarks followed reports that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were seized by US special forces during a pre-dawn operation on Saturday. The operation reportedly involved airstrikes on Caracas, supported by warplanes and a significant naval presence.
Shamdasani rejected claims by the United States that the raid was justified by Venezuela’s alleged record of human rights abuses.
“Accountability for human rights violations cannot be achieved by unilateral military intervention in violation of international law,” she stated.
She noted that the UN human rights office has consistently documented Venezuela’s deteriorating human rights situation over the past decade, but warned that external military action would not provide a solution.
“We fear that the current instability and further militarisation in the country resulting from the US intervention will only make the situation worse,” Shamdasani added.
