UN Alarmed by US Venezuela Strike, Warns of Instability After Maduro Capture

Speaking on the situation following the January 3 strike by US, DiCarlo, Under-Secretary for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, said at a UN security council meet, "We meet at a grave time following the 3 January United States military action in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela... The extent of casualties resulting from these actions remains undetermined."

She noted that President Donald Trump had announced the strike on social media on Saturday, describing it as a "large-scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro." DiCarlo added that Trump stated, "We are going to run the country until such time that we can do a safe, proper, and judicious transition."

DiCarlo said the government of Venezuela has characterised the US operation as a military aggression affecting both civilian and military areas and called it a "flagrant violation of the charter," posing a threat to international and regional peace and security.

She highlighted that President Maduro is currently being held in New York, accused by US authorities of serious criminal offences alongside his wife, Cilia Flores. DiCarlo emphasised the uncertainty surrounding Venezuela's immediate future and warned of the risk of intensified instability.

"What is less certain is the immediate future of Venezuela. I am deeply concerned about the possible intensification and the instability in the country. The potential impact on the region and the precedent it may set for how relations between and among states are conducted," DiCarlo added.

Meanwhile, during their first court appearance in New York, Venezuela's deposed dictator Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, pleaded not guilty to all charges and accused the United States government of abducting them from their home country, CNN reported.

As per CNN on Monday (local time), both Maduro and Flores denied the drug trafficking and weapons-related charges filed against them and, for now, did not contest their continued detention. The appearance marked a historic moment and the beginning of what is expected to be a prolonged legal battle, as their defence is likely to challenge the legality of their military capture.

After the military operation to arrest Maduro, US President Donald Trump said, "We're in charge."

Meanwhile, the Trump administration has signalled that it will closely monitor developments in Venezuela under interim leadership. However, Maduro's long-time vice president, Delcy Rodriguez, was sworn in as acting president on Monday, according to CNN.

- ANI