In a follow-up UN Security Council emergency session on January 7, 2026—after an initial meeting on January 6 condemning the US special forces capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores on January 3—representatives from dozens of nations denounced the operation as a violation of sovereignty and international law. Maduro pleaded not guilty to narco-terrorism charges in New York federal court the same day, amid ongoing global backlash.
Building on the January 6 emergency session where even US allies like France and the UK questioned the legality of the US raid that killed Maduro's security detail, the Security Council reconvened on January 7. Protesters rallied outside the New York courthouse as Maduro entered a not guilty plea.
China's deputy permanent representative, Sun Lei, reiterated 'deep shock' at the US 'unilateral, illegal and bullying acts,' accusing Washington of prioritizing power over multilateralism and diplomacy. He highlighted violations of UN Charter principles like sovereign equality and noninterference, warning that force breeds crises, and cited US history in Iraq, Iran, and Latin America. China pledged firm support for Venezuela's sovereignty.
US economist Jeffrey Sachs, addressing the session, called the action a breach of UN Charter Article 2(4) and part of 70+ US 'covert regime change' operations since 1947. He demanded the US cease threats against Venezuela to uphold international law.
Russia's ambassador Vassily Nebenzia labeled it a 'crime' and 'lawlessness,' demanding Maduro's release and dialogue. While Argentina defended it as anti-narco-terrorism to restore democracy, most countered that democracy cannot be imposed by force.
Colombia's Leonor Zalabata Torres stated 'democracy cannot be promoted through violence.' Mexico's Hector Vasconcelos warned against 'regime change by external actors.' Chile's Paula Narvaez Ojeda, Spain's Hector Gomez Hernandez, and Brazil's Sergio Franca Danese emphasized peaceful processes, universal norms, and rejection of coercion. France noted erosion of the international order; South Africa rejected claims of superiority; Pakistan and the A3 (DRC, Somalia, Liberia) stressed sovereignty.
China urged the US to end bullying and pursue mutual respect.
