The US have captured President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores with American President Donald Trump justifying the actions as necessary to combat “narco-terrorism. International Relations Minister, Ronald Lamola, has criticised theUS posture toward Venezuela, saying it undermined international law and the principles of statesovereignty enshrined in the United Nations Charter. “As the government of the republic, we were taken aback by that posture of the US because it violates the UN Charter.
“It is in violation of the territorial integrity of Venezuela, and it’s in violation of all principles that should govern respectability of sovereign states,” Lamola said. He spoke to the media on Monday ahead of a United Nations Security Council meeting scheduled for later today, saying South Africa hopes for “progressive decisions” and “robust engagements” on the matter. “So that’s why we have issued the statement, and we have called for the sitting of the UN Security Council, and we are looking forward to the meeting this afternoon, with the hope that progressive decisions will be taken, and robust engagements will happen,” he said.
The minister highlighted broader regional issues under discussion at the ANC’s International Relations Subcommittee, which is meeting concurrently. “There are broad issues affecting the geopolitical space, as you are aware. We are also chairing SADC.
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We also have to engage on peace and security in the continent, but also the consolidation and regional integration,” Lamola said. “So all those are issues on the agenda of the subcommittee to take forward issues for the year, including the input for the January 8,” he added, referring to the ANC’s upcoming anniversary celebrations. Lamola’s comments follow long-standing US pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s government. TheUS has pursued indictments and sanctions against Maduro and other senior officials for alleged narcoticstrafficking and corruption, and has offered rewards for information leading to their capture.
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