UN Secretary-General alarmed as US captures Maduro, warns of dangerous precedent
View of a destroyed bus at La Carlota air base in Caracas on January 3, 2026. President Donald Trump said Saturday that US forces had captured Venezuela's leader Nicolas Maduro after bombing the capital Caracas and other cities in a dramatic climax to a months-long standoff between Trump and his Venezuelan arch-foe.
Image: Juan Barreto / AFP
The United Nations has expressed serious concern over the recent United States military operation in Venezuela, which reportedly captured President Nicolás Maduro along with his wife.
The strikes have triggered global condemnation and raised fears of regional instability.
Stéphane Dujarric, spokesperson for UN Secretary-General António Guterres, said: “The Secretary-General is deeply alarmed by the recent escalation in Venezuela, culminating with today’s United States military action in the country, which has potential worrying implications for the region.”
He emphasised the broader international consequences, noting that the operation sets a dangerous precedent and could undermine established norms.
“The Secretary-General continues to emphasise the importance of full respect - by all - of international law, including the UN Charter. He’s deeply concerned that the rules of international law have not been respected,” Dujarric added, highlighting the UN’s concern over the legality of unilateral military interventions.
The UN has called on all actors in Venezuela to pursue inclusive dialogue, with full respect for human rights and the rule of law, in order to prevent further escalation.
The Secretary-General’s office stressed that diplomacy, rather than military force, is the only viable path to ensuring regional stability and civilian protection.
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