South African government accuses the US of violating the UN Charter
The South African government has accused the United States (U.S.) of violating the United Nations’ (UN) Charter following a large-scale military operation in Venezuela that saw President Nicholas Maduro captured.
Early on 3 January, U.S. President Donald Trump said that “America has successfully carried out a large-scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the Country.”
South Africa’s Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) said that these actions “manifest violation of the Charter of the United Nations.”
This is in relation to member states refraining from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state
“Furthermore, the Charter does not authorise external military intervention in matters that are essentially within the domestic jurisdiction of a sovereign nation,” said DIRCO.
“History has repeatedly demonstrated that military invasions against sovereign states yield only instability and deepening crisis. Unlawful, unilateral force of this nature undermines the stability of the international order and the principle of equality among nations.”
“South Africa calls on UN Security, the body mandated to maintain international peace and security, to urgently convene to address this situation,” the statement concluded.
Maduro to face a New York court
The announcement followed reports from residents in Caracas of multiple explosions, low-flying aircraft and smoke rising from military installations, including La Carlota air base and Fuerte Tiuna, the country’s largest military complex.
Trump said that the operation was conducted “in conjunction with U.S. Law Enforcement” and said further details would be provided at a news conference scheduled at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.
The Trump administration has previously accused the Maduro government of operating a “narco-terrorist” state.
U.S Attorney General Pam Bondi said that Maduro and his wife have been indicted in the Southern District of New York. “They will soon face the full wrath of American justice on American soil in American courts,” she said.
Maduro has been charged with:
- Narco-Terrorism Conspiracy,
- Cocaine Importation Conspiracy,
- Possession of Machineguns and Destructive Devices,
- Conspiracy to Possess Machineguns and Destructive Devices against the United States.
Trump suggested on Fox News that his administration would continue to target Venezuelan government officials if they choose to side with Maduro.
“If they stay loyal, the future is really bad, really bad for them,” he said. “I’d say most of them have converted.”
U.S. Vice President JD Vance said that Trump “offered multiple off ramps, but was very clear throughout this process: the drug trafficking must stop, and the stolen oil must be returned to the United States.”
“Maduro is the newest person to find out that President Trump means what he says. Kudos to our brave special operators who pulled off a truly impressive operation.”
Following the announcement by Trump, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reposted a statement he made in mid-2025, denying that Maduro is recognised as the president.
“Maduro is NOT the President of Venezuela and his regime is NOT the legitimate government,” said Rubio.
“Maduro is the head of the Cartel de Los Soles, a narco-terror organisation which has taken possession of a country. And he is under indictment for pushing drugs into the United States,” he added.
Domestic and international reaction
Venezuelan authorities condemned the actions, describing them as “extremely serious military aggression” by the U.S.
In a statement, officials said civilian and military sites were hit in Caracas as well as in the states of Miranda, Aragua and La Guaira.
The government also announced a national state of emergency, calling for the mobilisation of defence forces and urging citizens to oppose what it called an attack on national sovereignty.
Venezuela’s defence minister, Vladimir Padrino Lopez, said that the country “will prevail … not negotiate … not give up”.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a post on X: “We stand by the people of Venezuela and support a peaceful and democratic transition.”
“Any solution must respect international law and the UN Charter,” she added.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro echoed South Africa’s calls for an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council, while Cuba described the operation as “state terrorism.”
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The pot calling the kettle black. Since when does SA follow the UN.