The United States faced widespread criticism at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Monday following the abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife by US special forces. The operation, which coincided with Maduro’s arraignment in a New York federal court on drug trafficking and “narcoterrorism” charges, was condemned by both traditional US allies and global powers for violating international law and setting a dangerous precedent.

International Reactions: Critics Condemn US Action

Venezuela’s UN ambassador Samuel Moncada denounced the raid as:

“An illegitimate armed attack lacking any legal justification.”

His comments were echoed by Cuba, Colombia, Russia, and China, all of whom warned that the US had overstepped its authority.

Cuba’s ambassador, Ernesto Soberon Guzman, accused the US of applying its laws outside its own territory, using military force and asset seizure in ways that threaten other nations. Russia’s envoy, Vassily Nebenzia, added that the US cannot “proclaim itself as some kind of a supreme judge,” asserting that such actions violate sovereignty and the principles of non-intervention.

Even traditional US allies, including Mexico and Denmark, voiced concern. Mexico’s ambassador, Hector Vasconcelos, emphasized that sovereign nations should determine their own futures, while Denmark’s Christina Markus Lassen warned against the use of force to influence political outcomes, alluding to US President Donald Trump’s prior threat to annex Greenland.

France and Other Council Members Criticize the Raid

France, a permanent UNSC member, criticized the operation as inconsistent with peaceful dispute resolution and the non-use of force, signaling a shift from earlier French approval. Deputy ambassador Jay Dharmadhikari said the abduction contravened international norms.

Other members highlighted the internal situation in Venezuela:

• Latvia’s ambassador Sanita Pavļuta-Deslandes cited mass repression, corruption, organized crime, and drug trafficking under Maduro as a regional security threat.
• UK ambassador James Kariuki acknowledged that Maduro’s claim to power was “fraudulent” but stressed that foreign military interventions must adhere to international law.

US Response: National Security Justification

The US ambassador to the UN, Mike Waltz, described the operation as a “surgical law enforcement operation” targeting indicted fugitives under American law. The White House defended the abduction and related air strikes near Venezuelan territory, citing threats to US national security due to alleged Maduro-backed “narcoterrorist” cartels, though these claims remain unproven.

Implications for International Law and US Relations

The incident has raised serious questions about international norms, sovereignty, and the limits of US power abroad. Analysts note that criticism from both allies and rivals could strain US diplomatic relations, particularly with countries like Mexico, Denmark, and France, and undermine the credibility of future extraterritorial law enforcement operations.

The UN Security Council emergency session underscores the global unease over unilateral military actions and emphasizes that even countries traditionally aligned with Washington expect adherence to international law and multilateral frameworks.