The United Nations Security Council holds an emergency meeting to discuss recent US actions in Venezuela on January 5, 2026 in at UN headquarters in New York.
UN Security Council holds emergency meeting on Venezuela
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UN Security Council debates US abduction of Venezuela’s Maduro amid global outrage
Venezuela’s ambassador to the United Nations, Samuel Moncada, accused the United States of carrying out an “illegal armed attack” against the country, calling it a flagrant violation of international law.
Addressing the Security Council, Moncada said the US operation involved bombing civilian and military infrastructure, causing deaths, and the “kidnapping” of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.
He argued that the seizure of a sitting head of state violated the principle of personal immunity, a cornerstone of international law, and set a dangerous precedent for all nations. Moncada also described the attacks as acts of aggression and occupation, even in the absence of formal annexation or a permanent troop presence.
Call for respect for sovereignty
Moncada urged the Security Council to uphold international law “without double standards,” warning that selective enforcement undermines multilateralism and the credibility of the UN body. He emphasized that state sovereignty is an institutional safeguard, not a personal privilege.
Maduro’s son addresses National Assembly
Nicolas Maduro Guerra, the son of the abducted president, spoke to Venezuela’s National Assembly, meeting for the first time since the US attacks. He called for “dignity without submission” and stressed that Venezuela seeks “international engagement that is balanced and respectful,” urging respect for every country in the Americas.
Russia and China condemn US actions
Diplomats from Russia and China sharply criticized the US attack. Russia’s UN ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia, denounced what he called US “crimes” against Venezuela. China’s deputy UN envoy, Geng Shuang, described the operation as “illegal” and “bullying,” demanding the immediate release of Maduro and Flores.
US defends operation
US Ambassador to the UN, Mike Waltz, defended the abduction of Maduro as a lawful law enforcement action, insisting the US is “not at war with Venezuela or its people.” Waltz said Maduro will now stand trial in the United States for narcotrafficking and accused him of destabilizing the Western Hemisphere and repressing the Venezuelan population.
Diplomatic tensions escalate
The emergency Security Council meeting highlights growing international tensions following the unprecedented US operation in Caracas, with calls for legal accountability, respect for sovereignty, and the potential for broader geopolitical repercussions.
