A supporter of President Nicolas Maduro holds a Venezuelan flag during a gathering near the Palacio de Miraflores in Caracas on January 3, 2026, after US forces captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro after launching a “large scale strike” on the South American country. (Photo by Federico PARRA / AFP) The South African government has raised alarm over the United States’ “unilateral” military action in Venezuela, capturing President Nicolás Maduro, warning that such interventions violate the United Nations Charter. South Africa has urged a UN Security Council meeting after the US confirmed that it conducted a “large-scale” military strike against Venezuela.
The government urged the council to convene urgently to address the situation. US forces captured the country’s leader and his wife and flew them out of Venezuela. US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that US forces had captured Maduro after bombing the capital, Caracas, and other cities.
The strike marked a dramatic climax to a months-long standoff between the leaders. According to AFP, a series of fast-moving events then rocked Caracas. Explosions and the sound of attack helicopters echoed through the city.
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The South African government said it viewed America’s actions as a manifest violation of the Charter of the UN. The Charter mandates that all member states refrain from the threat or use of force. This applies to actions against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state.
“Furthermore, the Charter does not authorise external military intervention in matters that are essentially within the domestic jurisdiction of a sovereign nation,” Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) spokesperson Crispin Phiri said on Saturday. South Africa said history has shown that military invasions of sovereign governments only result in instability and worsening crises.
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