South Africa has formally requested an emergency session of the United Nations Security Council following reports of a U.S. military operation in Venezuela, which Pretoria described as a unilateral action of “grave concern.”
In a statement released on Saturday, January 3, 2025, South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation said it was monitoring the situation closely. The statement referenced claims that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife had been captured and removed from the country, though these reports remain unverified.
Chrispin Phiri
Spokesperson, Department of International Relations and Cooperation
“The use of unilateral force of this nature, if confirmed, would constitute a clear violation of the United Nations Charter,” the statement read, noting that international law prohibits threats or attacks against the territorial integrity or political independence of sovereign states.
South Africa stressed that such actions, beyond their immediate consequences, risk undermining the global order and weakening the principle of equality among nations. Drawing on historical precedent, Pretoria argued that military interventions often deepen crises rather than resolve them.
“The use of unlawful, unilateral force destabilises the global system and erodes the foundations of international law,” the statement added.
The South African government called on the Security Council to convene urgently to assess the situation and explore measures consistent with its mandate to maintain international peace and security.
While the statement focused on South Africa’s diplomatic stance, attempts to reach U.S. officials for comment on the alleged operation were ongoing at the time of publication. Venezuelan authorities had not immediately responded to the claims regarding President Maduro’s capture.
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation directed enquiries to ministry spokesperson Chrispin Phiri.
As developments continue to unfold, the international community faces a tense moment requiring careful monitoring and adherence to established diplomatic and legal frameworks.