U.S. intervention in Venezuela draws criticism at U.N. Security Council

At an emergency U.N. Security Council meeting, several countries criticized a U.S. military operation that seized Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro; Maduro and his wife were taken to the United States to face a Justice Department indictment.

An emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council addressed a recent U.S. military operation that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. Delegations from both U.S. allies and adversaries raised concerns about sovereignty and the use of force. The U.S. has transferred Maduro and his wife to the United States, where they have appeared in a Manhattan court on a Justice Department indictment. The session reflected long-standing tensions over Maduro's disputed 2024 reelection. What officials reported: - The United States carried out an operation that led to the capture and transfer of Nicolás Maduro and his wife to U.S. custody, and they have appeared in a Manhattan court on a Justice Department indictment. - Representatives from Denmark, France, China, Russia and neighboring Colombia voiced objections at the Security Council, citing principles of sovereignty, nonintervention and concern about the use of force. - U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was deeply concerned that international law may not have been respected, and Venezuela’s envoy urged the council to press for Maduro’s release. Summary: The Security Council debate highlighted widespread international concern about the reported use of force and its implications for sovereignty and international law. Maduro and his wife are in U.S. custody and have begun proceedings in a U.S. federal court; Undetermined at this time.