The Government of the Republic of South Africa has expressed grave concern over the latest developments in Venezuela, following confirmation by the United States that it has carried out what it described as a “large-scale military strike against Venezuela” and that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, along with his wife, was captured and flown out of the country.
In an official reaction, South Africa emphasized that such actions constitute a clear and serious violation of the Charter of the United Nations. The UN Charter explicitly obliges all Member States to refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state. It further affirms that external military intervention is not authorized in matters that fall essentially within the domestic jurisdiction of a sovereign nation.
The South African government underscored that historical experience has consistently shown that military invasions of sovereign states do not lead to peace or stability. Instead, they often result in prolonged instability, humanitarian crises, and the erosion of political and social order. According to Pretoria, the use of unlawful and unilateral military force of this nature undermines the foundations of the international system, weakens respect for international law, and violates the principle of sovereign equality among nations.
South Africa warned that actions taken outside the framework of international law threaten the credibility of multilateral institutions and risk setting dangerous precedents in global affairs. Such developments, it noted, have far-reaching consequences not only for the country directly affected but also for regional and international peace and security.
In light of the seriousness of the situation, South Africa has formally called on the United Nations Security Council—the body entrusted with the primary responsibility of maintaining international peace and security—to convene urgently. Pretoria stressed that the Security Council must address the situation in Venezuela without delay, assess the implications of the reported military action, and take appropriate steps consistent with the principles and purposes of the United Nations Charter.
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