South Africa has called on the United Nations Security Council to urgently convene over the US military strikes in Venezuela that led to the capture of President Nicolás Maduro. Pretoria views the action as a clear violation of the UN Charter, prohibiting the use of force against a sovereign state's integrity. The government warns that such interventions historically breed instability.
On January 3, 2026, South Africa issued a strong call for the UN Security Council, tasked with maintaining global peace and security, to address the escalating crisis in Venezuela. This follows a large-scale US military strike targeting the South American nation and its leadership, resulting in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro along with his wife, who were subsequently flown out of the country.
The South African government, through spokesperson Chrispin Phiri for International Relations Minister, condemned the operation as a 'manifest violation' of the United Nations Charter. The Charter requires member states to refrain from threats or use of force that infringe on any state's territorial integrity or political independence. Phiri emphasized that it does not permit external military involvement in a sovereign nation's internal affairs.
"History has repeatedly demonstrated that military invasions against sovereign states yield only instability and a crisis," Phiri stated. "South Africa calls on the United Nations Security Council, mandated to maintain international peace, to urgently convene and address this situation."
Pretoria's stance underscores concerns over international law and the potential for broader regional turmoil, though specific details on casualties or further US intentions remain unclear from official reports.
