In a strong statement today from Geneva, United Nations experts expressed their deep condemnation of the large-scale military actions executed by the United States against the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. This includes the bombardment of the capital city, Caracas, and other urban areas, as well as the forcible abduction of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife. The experts highlighted that these actions represent a significant violation of international law and could destabilize the region and the world.
The UN experts asserted that the unprovoked military force used on Venezuelan sovereign territory is a clear infringement of Article 2(4) of the UN Charter, which explicitly prohibits the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state. These actions may also constitute the international crime of aggression, implicating the political and military leaders involved.
Reports indicate that this military aggression has resulted in an unknown number of casualties. The situation has been exacerbated by previous unilateral coercive measures against Venezuela, including a naval blockade, the armed seizure of tankers, and the extrajudicial killings of at least 115 civilians allegedly connected to drug trafficking. The experts emphasized that all these actions contradict international and humanitarian law, particularly the non-derogable right to life.
According to customary international law, sitting heads of state are typically immune from the criminal jurisdiction of foreign courts, a principle confirmed by the International Court of Justice in its 2002 'Arrest Warrant' ruling. This immunity applies regardless of diplomatic recognition or political factors, but does not exempt leaders from the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court.
UN experts cautioned that this unprecedented attack on Venezuela must not be viewed in isolation but as part of a broader trend of systematic disregard for peace and international law. They noted that this resurgence of gunboat diplomacy includes military aggression, extrajudicial killings, and coercive diplomacy, as well as sanctions against judges and prosecutors of the International Criminal Court and a UN Special Rapporteur.
“These practices signal a deliberate challenge to the international legal order and to the fundamental principle that power should be constrained by law,” the experts warned. They cautioned that if tolerated, such actions would normalize lawlessness in international relations and undermine the global order.
Experts also expressed grave concern regarding public statements made by the President of the United States, asserting that the US would "rule the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition" and that they would extract significant wealth from Venezuela. Such declarations indicate a blatant disregard for the right of peoples to self-determination and their sovereignty over natural resources, which are core principles of international human rights law, as outlined in Article 1 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
The UN experts urged that Venezuela’s vast natural resources, including the largest proven oil reserves globally, should not be exploited under the guise of military action or regime-change strategies. They called upon the international community, including states and businesses, to refrain from participating in any imperial strategies that violate human rights and the principles of non-intervention and self-determination.
Experts noted that while Latin America has a history marked by colonial and imperialist interventions, it also embodies a rich tradition of resistance and emancipation struggles. “The future of Venezuela must be determined by the Venezuelan people alone, through dialogue and accountability, ensuring equal participation of women and adherence to democratic governance,” they stated.
They emphasized that this process must occur free from external coercion, military force, or economic strangulation. “We urge United Nations Member States to condemn the aggression by the United States and act decisively to halt all actions contrary to international law,” the experts concluded. Upholding international law is essential for the survival of a democratic and equitable international order based on the rule of law.