Captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is escorted, as he heads towards the Daniel Patrick Manhattan United States Courthouse for an initial appearance to face U.S. federal charges at Downtown Manhattan Heliport, in New York City, US. (IMAGE: REUTERS)
Opinion
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News1807-01-2026, 13:41

US Raid on Venezuela: A Blow to Rules-Based World Order?

  • US forces conducted a military raid in Venezuela in early January 2026, seizing President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, transporting them to New York for federal charges.
  • The Trump administration framed the operation as "law enforcement" against narco-trafficking, but critics view it as direct intervention and potential regime change.
  • The action is widely condemned as a violation of international law, specifically Article 2(4) of the UN Charter, lacking UN Security Council authorization or host nation consent.
  • Global leaders, including the EU, Spain, and several Latin American nations, warned of a dangerous precedent that undermines the "rules-based international order."
  • The raid raises critical questions about great powers upholding international law while acting unilaterally, potentially leading to a "global Wild West."

Why It Matters: US raid on Venezuela challenges international law and the rules-based world order, setting a dangerous precedent.

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