Trump's military action against Venezuela condemned

International organisations, including the United Nations, the Group of Friends in Defence of the Charter of the United Nations, the African Union (AU) and the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), have strongly condemned recent military action by the United States against Venezuela, describing it as a violation of the UN Charter and international law.

The condemnation follows a reported operation carried out last Saturday by United States special forces, which allegedly involved armed attacks on civilian and military targets in Caracas and other parts of Venezuela.

In a statement, the Group of Friends in Defence of the Charter of the United Nations expressed outrage over what it described as acts of aggression, including the alleged abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores. The group said the actions constituted a clear breach of international law and the fundamental principles governing relations between states.

"The Group of Friends in Defence of the Charter of the United Nations condemns in the most unequivocal and categorical manner the act of aggression perpetrated on 03 January 2026 against the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela by special forces of the United States of America," the statement read.

The group said the reported attacks targeted both civilian and military facilities and expressed serious concern about their impact on civilians and the right to life. It reiterated its firm support for Venezuela's constitutional government under President Maduro and stressed the importance of respecting the inviolability and immunities accorded to heads of state and government under international law.

The group also demanded the immediate cessation of hostilities, full respect for Venezuela's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and the immediate return of President Maduro and his wife. It further called for accountability for those responsible for what it described as acts of aggression.

President Maduro, who is facing drug trafficking charges in the United States, pleaded not guilty in court yesterday.

The statement also rejected remarks attributed to US President Donald Trump, in which he reportedly threatened further strikes and suggested intentions to occupy and exploit Venezuelan oil resources. The group described such remarks as a "confession of a clear plan of annexation" that undermines the inalienable rights of the Venezuelan people.

The Group of Friends in Defence of the Charter of the United Nations, launched in July 2021, is an open-ended grouping currently comprising 18 member states, including Zimbabwe.

The group called on international bodies such as the UN Security Council and the UN General Assembly to urgently mobilise to uphold the principles of the UN Charter and prevent further escalation that could threaten regional and international peace and security.

Similar sentiments were echoed by the African Union and the Non-Aligned Movement. NAM, which represents a coalition of countries advocating sovereignty and independence, described the US actions as a blatant violation of international law and called for dialogue and diplomatic solutions instead of military intervention.

"The Coordinating Bureau of the Non-Aligned Movement categorically condemns the act of aggression perpetrated by the United States of America against the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela," NAM said, warning that the actions undermined regional and global peace and threatened the lives of Venezuelan civilians.

In an earlier statement, the African Union reaffirmed its commitment to the principles of international law, including respect for state sovereignty, territorial integrity and the right to self-determination. The AU said Venezuela's internal challenges could only be sustainably resolved through inclusive political dialogue among Venezuelans themselves.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres also expressed deep concern over the developments, warning that the intervention set a "dangerous precedent." In a post on social media platform X, Guterres urged all parties to adhere strictly to the UN Charter.

"Respect for the UN Charter, respect for the sovereignty, political independence and territorial integrity of states, and the prohibition of the threat or use of force must prevail," he said, adding that international law provides mechanisms to address issues such as drug trafficking, resource disputes and human rights concerns without resorting to military action.