New York: The United Nations human rights office has warned that the world has become less safe following recent action taken by the United States in Venezuela, raising serious concerns about international law and global security.
Speaking on Tuesday, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights said the use of force against a sovereign country risks weakening the rules that protect international peace. The office stressed that the UN Charter clearly limits the use of military action and warned that ignoring these principles could set a dangerous example for other countries.
The statement came amid growing global reaction to the US operation that led to the detention of Venezuela’s president Nicolas Maduro. The human rights office said that even when governments claim to act in the name of justice or human rights, military action cannot replace lawful international processes.
UN officials also cautioned that such actions may increase instability, not only in Venezuela but across the region. Several neighbouring countries have expressed concern about possible spillover effects, including political unrest and migration pressures.
At an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council, several countries questioned the legality of the US move and urged respect for national sovereignty. While the United States defended its actions as necessary, many diplomats warned that bypassing international mechanisms could undermine trust in the global system.
Venezuela’s interim authorities have rejected foreign interference and said the country’s future must be decided by its own people. Protests and political uncertainty continue as institutions attempt to function amid the crisis.
The UN human rights office called on all nations to step back from escalation and return to dialogue, stressing that lasting peace and accountability can only be achieved through international law and cooperation, not through force.