New York/New Delhi: At the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) meeting, both Russia and China strongly condemned the US action as a breach of international law and demanded the immediate release of deposed Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, as global concern mounted over the legality and consequences of the US military operation in Caracas. Meanwhile, in New York, both Maduro and Flores pleaded not guilty to serious drug trafficking and weapons charges. Back in Venezuela, Delcy Rodríguez, sworn in as acting president, adopted a pragmatic stance, extending an invitation for respectful cooperation with the Trump administration.
The Security Council met following the January 3 US action in Venezuela, which President Donald Trump later described as a “large-scale strike.” Trump said the United States would now “run the country” until a transition could be secured. US forces carried out the operation across Caracas and the northern states of Miranda, Aragua and La Guaira, though the number of casualties remains unclear.
Addressing the Council, Russia’s UN ambassador Vassily Nebenzia denounced the operation as armed aggression and called for the immediate release of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. “There is no and can be no justification for the crimes cynically perpetrated by the United States in Caracas,” he said, adding that the action violated international legal norms.
China supported Russia’s position, saying it was “deeply shocked” by what it described as unilateral and illegal conduct. Deputy UN representative Sun Lei urged Washington to abandon coercive practices and pursue relations based on mutual respect, equality and noninterference.
A statement delivered on behalf of UN Secretary-General António Guterres described the meeting as taking place “at a grave time”. Guterres warned that the operation risked worsening instability in Venezuela and the wider region. He said the rules governing the use of force had not been respected and recalled that the UN Charter prohibits the threat or use of force against a state’s territorial integrity or political independence.
Guterres noted Venezuela’s long-running political and economic crisis and the millions who have fled the country, but said a wider conflict could still be avoided. He called for inclusive dialogue among Venezuelans based on human rights, the rule of law and the sovereign will of the people.
As the debate unfolded in New York, Maduro appeared in Manhattan federal court for the first time since his capture. He is accused by US prosecutors of leading a narco-terrorism conspiracy and overseeing a cocaine trafficking network linked to Mexico’s Sinaloa and Zetas cartels, Colombia’s FARC rebels and Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua gang. The charges also include conspiracy to import cocaine and possession of machine guns and destructive devices.
During the hearing before US District Judge Alvin Hellerstein, Maduro, 63, pleaded not guilty to four criminal counts. Speaking through an interpreter, he told the court, “I am innocent. I am not guilty. I am a decent man. I am still president of my country.” He also said, “I was captured,” describing his removal from Venezuela.
Maduro said he had not read the indictment and had not been informed of his rights before the hearing. The judge entered a not guilty plea on his behalf and scheduled the next court date for March 17.
His wife, Cilia Flores, also pleaded not guilty. Asked to confirm her identity, she told the court, “I am first lady of the Republic of Venezuela,” before saying she was “completely innocent.” Both were informed of their right to notify the Venezuelan consulate.
US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz defended the operation, saying Maduro had worked with drug traffickers and narco-terrorists to send hundreds of tonnes of narcotics into the United States. He said the raid was a law enforcement action, not a war. “There is no war against Venezuela or its people. We are not occupying a country,” Waltz said, adding that evidence would be presented in open court.
Venezuela’s UN ambassador Samuel Reinaldo Moncada Acosta rejected that argument, calling the attack illegitimate and lacking legal justification. He said the January 3 operation violated the UN Charter and the principle of sovereign equality of states.
Security Council members expressed differing views. Latvia supported the United States. Denmark said it did not recognize Maduro as president but stressed that Venezuela’s future should be decided by its own people. The United Kingdom called for a peaceful transition and respect for international law. France said the US action ran contrary to the principle of non-use of force and weakened international peace. Pakistan said it viewed the situation with profound concern and warned that such actions set a dangerous precedent.
Inside Venezuela, authorities issued an emergency order directing police to search for and detain anyone who supported the US operation. Despite Maduro’s removal, his allies remain in power and there are no signs of the military turning against them.
In a notable shift, Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodriguez softened her earlier criticism of the operation. Calling for improved relations with Washington, she said, “We invite the US government to work together on an agenda of cooperation. President Donald Trump, our peoples and our region deserve peace and dialogue, not war.”
Maduro has long denied the allegations against him, saying they are a cover for foreign interest in Venezuela’s oil reserves. He was first indicted by US prosecutors in 2020, with updated charges made public on Saturday adding new details and co-defendants.