The UN Security Council is holding an emergency meeting today i.e., January 5 to discuss the recent United States military operation in Venezuela that removed President Nicolás Maduro from power. The session is scheduled for 10 a.m. in New York under the agenda item “Threats to international peace and security.”
Why the Meeting Was Called
Colombia requested the urgent meeting, warning that the operation represents aggression against Venezuela’s sovereignty and could destabilize Latin America. China and Russia supported the call, pushing the Council to formally take up the issue as a matter of international peace and security.
Venezuela also sent a separate letter to the UN, accusing the US of carrying out “brutal, unjustified, and unilateral armed attacks.” Caracas says the strikes and the capture of Maduro violate Article 2(4) of the UN Charter, which prohibits the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state.
Details of the US Operation
The US operation targeted key sites in Venezuela and led to the capture of Nicolás Maduro and his wife, who were then flown out of the country. Washington has portrayed the move as a necessary step against a corrupt and repressive regime, while critics argue it bypasses international law and Venezuelan sovereignty.
Regional governments are divided, with some backing the US narrative of restoring democracy and others warning that external military intervention could fuel wider conflict in the region.
UN Chief’s Warning
UN Secretary‑General António Guterres has warned that the US action “constitute[s] a dangerous precedent” for international relations. He stressed that all states must respect the UN Charter and avoid unilateral uses of force that could erode global norms.
Guterres also underlined the need to protect civilians in Venezuela and urged all parties to prevent escalation while the Security Council debates next steps. Diplomats expect a tense session, as Council members clash over sovereignty, intervention, and responsibility to protect.
