Bhubaneswar, 5/1 : The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) convened an emergency meeting today, January 5, 2026, at its headquarters in New York to address the escalating crisis in Venezuela following a recent United States military operation that led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. The urgent session, held under the agenda item “Threats to International Peace and Security,” saw diplomatic exchanges reflecting deep global concern over sovereignty and international law.
The emergency meeting was called at the request of Colombia, a non-permanent member of the Security Council, with strong support from permanent members China and Russia. Venezuela also formally requested the session in a letter dated January 3, 2026, accusing the US of “brutal, unjustified, and unilateral armed attacks” against its civilian and military sites.
During the session, Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo delivered a statement on behalf of UN Secretary-General António Guterres. Guterres expressed profound alarm over the developments, highlighting the “dangerous precedent” set by such actions and emphasizing the imperative of full respect for international law, including the UN Charter. He warned of a “possible intensification of instability” in Venezuela and potential regional impacts.
The crisis unfolded after a US military operation launched on January 3, 2026, in Caracas, Venezuela. This operation reportedly involved large-scale strikes and resulted in the apprehension of President Maduro and his wife. They were subsequently transferred to the United States, where US Attorney General Pam Bondi stated they face charges including narco-terrorism conspiracy and other drug-related offenses. Maduro has consistently denied these allegations.
While countries like Russia and China have condemned the US operation as a violation of international law and called for the immediate release of Maduro, US allies have largely expressed concern over the situation, urging de-escalation and adherence to the UN Charter. US President Donald Trump announced the military strikes on Saturday, stating his administration’s intent to prosecute Maduro.
The Security Council has previously met to discuss tensions between the US and Venezuela in October and December 2025, amidst increased US military presence in the Caribbean, citing efforts to curb drug trafficking. Today’s meeting underscores the heightened global concern over the implications of the latest events for international peace and the principles of national sovereignty.
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