Online Reporter
Farirai Machivenyika
Senior Reporter
The African Union has raised concerns over the developments in Venezuela following the United States’ air strikes on the country and the arrest of President Nicolas Maduro, on Saturday.
In a communiqué yesterday, the AU called for the respect of international law and the sovereignty of nations.
“The AU is following with grave concern the recent developments in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, including reports of the abduction of the President of the Republic, Mr Nicolás Maduro, and military attacks on Venezuelan institutions.
“The AU reaffirms its steadfast commitment to the fundamental principles of international law, including respect for the sovereignty of States, their territorial integrity and the right of peoples to self-determination, as enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations.
“The AU underscores the importance of dialogue, peaceful settlement of disputes and respect for constitutional and institutional frameworks, in a spirit of good neighbourliness, cooperation and peaceful coexistence among nations.
“The AU emphasises that the complex internal challenges facing Venezuela can only be sustainably addressed through inclusive political dialogue among Venezuelans themselves.
The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres expressed deep alarm over the US actions, warning that the intervention sets a “dangerous precedent” and urged all parties to respect the UN Charter.
On the other hand, the European Union High Representative Kaja Kallas called for de-escalation and adherence to international law.
Major powers like China, strongly condemned the “flagrant use of force,” labelling it hegemonic behaviour that violates Venezuela’s sovereignty and threatens regional peace.
While Russia denounced the operation as an “act of armed aggression.” Russian officials urged the immediate release of Maduro and his wife, calling the US pretexts “untenable”.
On its part, Iran, described the strikes a “blatant violation” of national sovereignty and territorial integrity, calling on the UN Security Council to hold the US accountable.
Some European countries, like Spain and Norway, also condemned the intervention as a violation of international law, with Spain’s Pedro Sánchez stating his government would not recognise an intervention that pushes the region toward belligerence, while Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico described the action as evidence of the “breakdown of the world order” established after World War II.
