Geneva — The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) issued a strong rebuke on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, stating that the U.S. military intervention in Venezuela, which led to the capture of former President Nicolás Maduro, "undermined a fundamental principle of international law" and made the world less safe by signaling that powerful nations can act with impunity.
"It is clear that the operation undermined a fundamental principle of international law – that States must not threaten or use force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state," OHCHR spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani told reporters during a briefing in Geneva. She emphasized that the international community must unite to uphold this core tenet of the UN Charter.
Shamdasani dismissed U.S. justifications rooted in Venezuela's longstanding human rights abuses under Maduro, asserting that "accountability for human rights violations cannot be achieved by unilateral military intervention in violation of international law." Instead, she warned, such actions erode global security: "It sends a signal that the powerful can do whatever they like." Far from advancing human rights, the intervention risks further instability and militarization, exacerbating an already dire situation for Venezuelans.
High Commissioner Volker Türk expressed deep concern over the evolving crisis, calling on the U.S., Venezuelan authorities, and the international community to prioritize respect for international law and human rights. "The future of Venezuela must be determined by the Venezuelan people alone, with full respect for their human rights, including the right to self-determination, and sovereignty over their lives and their resources," the statement read.
The OHCHR's comments follow the dramatic U.S.-led "Operation Absolute Resolve" on January 3, during which special forces, supported by airstrikes on military targets in Caracas, seized Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, from their residence. The couple was flown to New York, where they pleaded not guilty on January 5 to federal charges including narco-terrorism conspiracy and cocaine importation. Maduro declared himself innocent, describing the operation as a "kidnapping."
Delcy Rodríguez, Maduro's former vice president, was sworn in as interim president on January 5 by the National Assembly, following a Supreme Court ruling citing Maduro's "forced absence." Rodríguez has condemned the U.S. action as illegitimate while expressing willingness for cooperation under international law.
The OHCHR highlighted additional worries about a state of emergency declared in Venezuela on January 3, which permits restrictions on movement, property seizures, and suspensions of assembly and protest rights. Shamdasani noted that Venezuelans' rights "have been violated for too long," referencing years of OHCHR reporting on deterioration, including the office's expulsion from the country in February 2024 after critical assessments.
A separate UN Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela echoed concerns, stating that while Maduro's government bears responsibility for grave violations and potential crimes against humanity, these "do not justify a US military intervention that breaches international law." The mission urged continued focus on accountability for abuses against Venezuelans.
The intervention has sparked widespread international backlash. At an emergency UN Security Council meeting on January 5, allies and adversaries alike criticized the U.S., with France calling it a threat to international order and Brazil labeling it an "unacceptable line" setting a dangerous precedent. UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed alarm over the precedent for global relations.
U.S. officials defended the operation as a "surgical law enforcement action" to apprehend indicted individuals, denying occupation intentions. President Donald Trump has praised the raid and indicated U.S. oversight of Venezuela's oil sector during the transition.
Legal experts remain divided, comparing the action to the 1989 U.S. invasion of Panama but noting the absence of UN authorization or self-defense claims. As Venezuela navigates uncertainty—with relative calm in Caracas but lingering tensions—the OHCHR's warning underscores broader risks to the rules-based international order amid this unprecedented escalation.
