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Venezuela: South Africa Condemns US Military Action, Calls for Urgent UN Security Meeting
By Kabir Akintayo
The Government of South Africa has expressed grave concern over the United States’ confirmation of a large-scale military strike against Venezuela, describing the action as a clear violation of international law and the United Nations Charter.
In a media statement issued on Friday by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), South Africa said the reported military operation, which allegedly led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife and their removal from the country, undermines the principles of state sovereignty and non-interference.
According to the statement, South Africa views the unilateral military action as a manifest breach of the UN Charter, which obliges member states to refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state.
“The Charter does not authorise external military intervention in matters that are essentially within the domestic jurisdiction of a sovereign nation,” the government said.
The condemnation comes amid heightened global attention following reports that President Maduro was apprehended during the operation, a development that has sparked widespread diplomatic reactions and raised fears of regional instability in Latin America.
South Africa warned that history has consistently shown that military invasions of sovereign states often result in prolonged instability and deepening crises rather than sustainable solutions.
“Unlawful, unilateral force of this nature undermines the stability of the international order and the principle of equality among nations,” the statement added.
In response to the unfolding situation, Pretoria called on the United Nations Security Council to urgently convene and address the developments in Venezuela, stressing that the Council remains the body mandated to maintain international peace and security.
The statement was signed by the Ministry’s spokesperson, Mr Chrispin Phiri, and reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to multilateralism and the peaceful resolution of conflicts through established international mechanisms.
