The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has strongly condemned the US action against Venezuela, labeling it an international law violation. The UN Security Council held an emergency meeting to discuss the current situation in Venezuela and expressed deep concern. At the meeting, a statement was read by the Deputy Secretary-General on behalf of Secretary-General Guterres, stating that the President of Venezuela and his wife are in US custody and all parties should abide by the UN Charter. He emphasized that restrictions on the use of force or coercion are necessary, and the supremacy of the law must be assured.
The UN Secretary-General stated that effective means of resolving issues related to illicit drug trafficking, resource conflicts, and human rights exist under international law. He stressed that the January 3 military action in Venezuela did not respect international laws, and Article 2 of the UN Charter prohibits the use of force or coercion against a state’s sovereignty or independence.
Guterres further stated that, as per the Venezuelan government’s request, a panel of electoral experts was appointed, which highlighted serious issues, and the UN has continuously appealed for the full transparency and publication of the election results. He emphasized that the parties should initiate comprehensive and democratic dialogue to enable all segments of society to decide their future.
The UN Secretary-General also stated that neighboring countries and the international community should act in accordance with the principles of unity and peaceful coexistence. He expressed support for all efforts to bring the Venezuelan people to a peaceful solution and emphasized that respect for the UN Charter and all related legal frameworks is essential for the protection of peace and security.
In related news, Saudi Arabia-led coalition’s statement claimed that Ali Abdullah Al-Houthi, the leader of the Houthi rebels, did not board a plane to Riyadh as previously announced. Russia has reportedly sent submarines and other ships to protect its tanker, while the UK and France have agreed to deploy troops to Ukraine after a ceasefire. A taxi driver in occupied East Jerusalem was arrested after running over a group of Orthodox Jewish protesters, killing one and injuring several others. US President Trump announced that the provisional government of Venezuela will provide 30 to 50 million barrels of oil to the US, to be sold at market rates and with the revenue under his control.
The US White House reportedly considered military options to occupy Greenland, in addition to the already discussed option of leasing the island. The White House blamed former Speaker Nancy Pelosi for the failure to prevent the January 6, 2021, Capitol Hill riot. A curfew was imposed in the Nepalese border town of Birgunj after a group of Hindu extremists looted a mosque and attacked Muslim properties. Israel and Syria have agreed to establish a joint mechanism for intelligence and diplomatic cooperation.
In the UK, a taxi driver was refused a private hire license after allegedly harassing a female passenger and sending her messages asking if she was single. Indian media reported that India has hired a US lobby to facilitate meetings and talks with US officials. The UK has seen a record-breaking temperature drop every night, with a low of -12.5°C recorded in Norfolk. Videos of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s arrest and appearance in a New York court are going viral on social media.
