South Africa has accused the United States ofabducting Venezuelan PresidentNicolás Maduroand his wife during a military operation in Venezuela, warning the move risks normalising the unlawful use of force in international relations. Delivering South Africa’s statement to theUnited Nations Security Councilon Monday, acting Deputy Permanent Representative Jonathan Passmoor said the unilateral action by the US violated the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political independence of Venezuela. “The unilateral military strikes carried out by the United States of America against Venezuela and the abduction of President Nicolás Maduro and his spouse from Venezuelan territory wantonly violates the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of Venezuela,” Passmoor told the Council.
South Africa said the actions were contrary to the United Nations Charter, which prohibits the use of force except in cases of self-defence or when authorised by the Security Council. “The prohibition on the use of force is a cornerstone of the United Nations Charter,” Passmoor said. “Its violation undermines the very foundations of the rules-based international order.” South Africa’s statement rejected any suggestion that the operation could be justified as law enforcement or accountability for alleged criminal conduct.
“No state may enforce its domestic laws on the territory of another sovereign state without its consent or authorisation from this Council,” Passmoor said. “Allegations of criminality, governance failures or human rights violations — however serious — do not justify the use of force.” South Africa warned that failure to challenge such actions would entrench a dangerous precedent in international relations. “If such actions are allowed to stand, we risk normalising the use of force outside the strict confines of international law,” Passmoor said. “This would signal a return to a system where might makes right.”
