Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
In a dramatic escalation of international tensions, the African Union (AU) has strongly condemned recent United States military strikes on Venezuela and the reported capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, calling for respect for international law and a peaceful resolution to the crisis. The unprecedented U.S. operation, involving airstrikes on Venezuelan territory and the extraction of Maduro and his wife, has triggered wide-ranging global reactions, with many world leaders and regional organisations warning that the actions represent a serious violation of the United Nations Charter and a dangerous precedent in global affairs.
In a formal statement issued from its headquarters in Addis Ababa, the AU expressed “grave concern” over what it described as the abduction of President Maduro and the use of force by an external power against a sovereign state. The pan-African bloc reaffirmed its commitment to the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the right of peoples to self-determination as enshrined in the UN Charter, and urged all parties to exercise restraint to avoid further escalation that could threaten regional and international peace. The AU also emphasised that Venezuela’s complex internal challenges must be resolved through inclusive political dialogue among Venezuelans themselves, and underscored its solidarity with the Venezuelan people.
The United States, under the leadership of former President Donald Trump, announced that its forces carried out what it called a “large-scale strike” in Venezuela, resulting in the capture of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. According to U.S. officials, the operation was justified on grounds of longstanding concerns about drug trafficking, corruption and alleged threats to regional security. Trump claimed that Washington would temporarily take control of Venezuela to facilitate a transition and leverage the country’s oil resources to support reconstruction efforts. Critics, however, have sharply questioned the legality and prudence of such actions.
The AU’s condemnation aligns with a broad chorus of international criticism. South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation called for an urgent United Nations Security Council meeting, declaring that the U.S. intervention undermines the stability of the international order and violates the UN Charter’s prohibition on the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state. Pretoria’s statement described the attack as “unlawful, unilateral force” that threatens the principle of sovereign equality among nations.
Across Latin America, leaders have also denounced the U.S. actions. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said the bombings and capture of Maduro “cross an unacceptable line,” constitute a violation of Venezuelan sovereignty and pose a dangerous precedent for the international community. Lula urged the United Nations to respond decisively and reaffirmed Brazil’s openness to facilitating diplomatic dialogue.
China, a longstanding ally of Venezuela, expressed deep shock and strong condemnation of the U.S. military operation, calling it a blatant violation of international law and a threat to peace and security in Latin America and the Caribbean. Beijing emphasised that such hegemonic actions undermine global stability and urged the United States to abide by its obligations under the UN Charter.
European reactions have been measured but critical. France’s foreign minister denounced the military operation that led to Maduro’s capture, asserting that it contravenes the principle of non-use of force and warning that enduring solutions to Venezuela’s political crisis must come from within the country. The European Union called for restraint and respect for international legal norms, highlighting the need for diplomatic engagement rather than military intervention.
The United Nations also weighed in, with senior officials expressing deep alarm at the events. A U.N. expert on counterterrorism and human rights labelled the U.S. strikes and the capture of Maduro as “illegal aggression,” stressing that military interventions without Security Council authorisation undermine the foundation of international law and threaten civilian lives.
Within the United States, reactions have been deeply polarized. Some domestic supporters of the Trump administration’s decision hailed the operation as a decisive blow against a regime they view as corrupt and hostile, while critics, including lawmakers and analysts, questioned the legal authority for the strikes and raised concerns about long-term strategic repercussions. Protests have taken place in several U.S. cities, reflecting widespread unease about the use of military force without broad international backing.
The Venezuelan government condemned the U.S. actions as a severe violation of national sovereignty and demanded information about the safety and whereabouts of President Maduro and his wife. Venezuelan officials and allied nations argue that the intervention constitutes an act of aggression reminiscent of past military interventions in sovereign states, risking further instability in an already fragile region.
Human rights and civil society organisations around the world have echoed these concerns, warning that the operation could set a perilous precedent for international relations and weaken the global order built around multilateral institutions. Many have called for immediate de-escalation and for the restoration of Venezuela’s political stability through peaceful means that respect the will of its people.
The unfolding situation has broader geopolitical implications. Analysts warn that unilateral military interventions erode trust in international legal frameworks and can exacerbate tensions between major powers. The crisis has already prompted emergency discussions at diplomatic levels, with calls for renewed commitment to diplomacy and adherence to international norms.
As the international community grapples with the ramifications of the U.S. strikes and Maduro’s capture, the African Union’s strong condemnation underscores concerns shared by many nations in the Global South. The AU’s appeal for dialogue, restraint and respect for sovereignty reflects a broader desire to uphold multilateral principles and to prevent further destabilisation that could have ripple effects far beyond Venezuela.
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