International leaders have emphasized that the United States military operation in Venezuela violates the fundamental principle prohibiting the use of force in international relations. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot explicitly stated that the Saturday strikes capturing President Nicolás Maduro breach this core tenet of international law.
The principle against use of force, enshrined in the UN Charter, forms one of the foundational pillars of the post-World War II international order. It prohibits nations from using military force against other states except in self-defense or with Security Council authorization, neither of which applies to the Venezuelan operation.
UN Secretary General António Guterres has warned through his spokesperson that the operation sets a dangerous precedent, emphasizing the critical importance of all nations respecting this prohibition. Major powers including China and Russia have condemned what they characterize as hegemonic behavior that threatens the entire framework of peaceful international relations.
US Attorney General Pam Bondi has announced that Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores will face drug trafficking charges in New York, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirming the charges relate to narcotics operations. President Trump stated the couple is currently aboard a ship being transported to the United States for prosecution.
European leaders including those from Spain and the European Commission have joined in calling for respect of international law, even as some right-wing governments offered tacit support. Latin American responses have divided along ideological lines, with Colombia mobilizing its armed forces in anticipation of refugee flows and security analysts questioning whether external military force can achieve democratic transformation.