Abduction of Venezuela’s Maduro sparks global condemnation

Nicholas Maduro. File pic

The alleged abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro by the United States (US) has triggered widespread international outrage, including criticism from several members of the United Nations Security Council - among them close Washington allies.

Cuban Ambassador to India, Juan Carlos Marsan Aguilera, strongly condemned the US military operation in Venezuela, calling it unlawful and dangerous, news agency PTI reported.

"This US military aggression towards Venezuela, in my opinion, is a criminal act. It's a terrorist act because it violates all the principles contained in the United Nations Charter and international law. It is a unilateral action against a sovereign country," he said.

He warned that no country alone can restrain Washington and urged global unity through multilateral bodies such as UN and BRICS, saying collective action is the only way to counter what he described as the US's reckless international conduct.

Meanwhile, Russia's Ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia, said the US cannot "proclaim itself as some kind of a supreme judge, which alone bears the right to invade any country, to label culprits, to hand down and to enforce punishments irrespective of notions of international law, sovereignty and non-intervention".

Mexico's Ambassador Hector Vasconcelos said UNSC had an "obligation to act decisively and without double standards" and stressed that it was for "sovereign peoples to decide their destinies", according to a UN readout.

The UNSC members have questioned the legality of Washington's actions, describing them as a breach of national sovereignty and a violation of international law.

Meanwhile, appearing before a court in New York, Maduro described himself as a "prisoner of war" and a victim of "kidnapping". He and his wife pleaded not guilty to the drug trafficking charges brought against him by US authorities.

Following his removal, Venezuela's Vice-President Delcy Rodríguez was sworn in as interim president, in line with a ruling by the Venezuelan Supreme Court.

While Rodríguez signalled her willingness to cooperate with the US, she referred to Maduro and his wife as "hostages".

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has warned of further military action against Venezuela and also issued threats toward Colombian President Gustavo Petro. Petro dismissed the warning, calling it "illegitimate".

(With PTI inputs)