UN to Hold Emergency Talks on US Military Action in Venezuela

The UN Security Council is set to convene on Monday following the United States military action in Venezuela that led to the removal of its long-time President Nicolas Maduro.

The development has triggered sharp diplomatic reactions, with the United Nations leadership cautioning that the episode risks weakening the foundations of international law.

Colombia, supported by Russia and China, formally asked for the emergency meeting of the 15-member council. Diplomats noted that the council had already met twice last year, in October and December, as tensions between Washington and Caracas continued to escalate.

Security Council called amid rising global concern

The request for fresh deliberations comes as UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres expressed unease over the implications of the US operation. According to his office, the overnight military action sets "a dangerous precedent" and raises serious questions about adherence to international norms.

This will mark the third time in recent months that the Security Council has been forced to examine the growing standoff between the United States and Venezuela, reflecting widening concern among member states about the trajectory of the crisis.

Trump outlines temporary US role in Venezuela

US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that Washington would administer Venezuela "until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition." However, the White House has not provided details on how such oversight would function or how long it might last.

The announcement followed months of increased American military activity around Venezuela, including actions against suspected drug trafficking routes and a broader naval build-up across the Caribbean and parts of the Pacific.

Venezuela denounces action as 'colonial war'

Venezuela's ambassador to the UN, Samuel Moncada, sharply criticised the US move in a letter to the Security Council. "This is a colonial war aimed at destroying our republican form of government, freely chosen by our people, and at imposing a puppet government that allows the plundering of our natural resources, including the world's largest oil reserves," he wrote.

Moncada argued that Washington had breached the UN Charter, citing the clause that says, "All members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state."

UN and US clash over legality and justification

Responding to the developments, UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said Guterres was "deeply concerned that the rules of international law have not been respected," reiterating the Secretary General's call for full compliance with the UN Charter by all parties.

The Trump administration has defended its actions by pointing to past notifications to the Security Council under Article 51, which allows states to act in self-defence. In October, Washington said its measures against Venezuelan-linked operations were consistent with this provision, especially amid claims of drug trafficking and security threats.

US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz echoed that stance on social media, writing, "This is not regime change this is justice. Maduro was an indicted, illegitimate dictator that led a declared Narco-terrorism organization responsible for killing American citizens."