Based on a 2020 narcoterrorism indictment, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was captured on January 3, 2026, during the U.S. military’s Operation Absolute Resolve.
The Venezuelan government condemned what it called “an extremely serious military aggression” by the United States, with Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello reporting that about 100 people died in the attack.
UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said the UN Secretary General is “deeply alarmed” by U.S. military action in Venezuela, warning that it could have serious regional implications and that “independently of the situation, these developments constitute a dangerous precedent.” Mr. Guterres emphasised the importance of full respect for international law and the UN Charter, expressed concern that these rules have not been upheld, and called on all parties to engage in “inclusive dialogue” in line with human rights and international law.
UN human rights chief Volker Türk also urged restraint and full respect for international law, saying that the protection of the people of Venezuela must be paramount and guide any further action.
Responding to the crisis, UN General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock warned that the UN Charter is not an “optional document” and must serve as the “guiding framework” in the days ahead. She noted that Article 2 requires all Member States, including the U.S., to refrain from the threat or use of force against the territory or political independence of any other nation, and stressed that a peaceful, safe, and just world for everyone is only possible if the rule of law prevails over “might makes right.”
The UN Independent International Fact‑Finding Mission on Venezuela has raised concerns about the country’s heightened volatility, warning that it could increase the risk of further human rights violations.
Maria Eloisa Quintero and Alex Neve, members of the UNHRC Mission, underlined that that documented abuses — including extrajudicial killings, arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances, torture, and sexual and gender‑based violence — extend beyond Maduro to others in command, and stressed that the severity of such abuses does not justify an unlawful military intervention that breaches international law, while the illegality of such intervention does not diminish the responsibility of Venezuelan officials for years of systematic human rights violations.
Marta Valiñas, Chair of the UNHRC Mission, emphasised that attention must remain on the grave human rights violations and crimes against humanity committed against Venezuelans, calling on all authorities and the international community to uphold international law and ensure that the protection of human rights remains the foremost priority.
