US strikes in Venezuela spark global alarm as legal experts warn of UN Charter breach

Pandemonium erupted in Venezuela over the weekend after the United States launched airstrikes in and around Caracas, followed by the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife.

The pair are expected to appear in a New York court.

Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, who has assumed leadership, accuses the US of attacking civilian areas.

“Missiles and rockets were fired from combat helicopters in urban areas of the civilian population,” said Venezuela’s defence minister, adding that casualties were still being assessed.

Trump hails ‘extraordinary’ show of force

Addressing the nation from Mar-a-Lago, US President Donald Trump described the strikes as a decisive military operation.

“Overwhelming American military power - air, land and sea - was used to bring outlaw dictator Nicolás Maduro to justice,” Trump said, calling it one of the most powerful displays of US military strength in history.

Trump also claimed the US would now help ‘run’ Venezuela, raising fears of a prolonged intervention.

‘Clear violation of international law’

Professor Hennie Strydom, an international law expert from the University of Johannesburg, says the operation breached the United Nations Charter.

“This is a clear violation of Venezuela’s sovereignty and independence,” he said.

“None of the justifications offered - drug trafficking, oil, corruption - can lawfully justify this use of force.”

Strydom says the US could only act militarily if facing an imminent attack, which was not the case.

Strategic dominance, not justice

According to Strydom, the real motivation lies in Washington’s newly published security strategy.

“The US wants to control the Western Hemisphere and keep rivals like China and Russia out,” he said.

“Maduro was an obstacle.”

Trump’s own remarks about expanding America’s ‘circle of friends’ in South America appeared to support that assessment.

What does ‘running Venezuela’ mean?

Trump’s claim that the US would govern Venezuela is raising serious questions.

Strydom said cooperation with the existing government to facilitate elections could still fall short of occupation, but warned that direct control would constitute a military takeover.

“If it is governance by force, then it is a very serious violation of sovereignty,” he said.

UN Security Council expected to stall

The United Nations Security Council is set to meet, but expectations are low.

Strydom said any attempt to pass a strong resolution would likely be vetoed by the US, echoing Russia’s use of veto power during its invasion of Ukraine.

“The UN has been reduced largely to a humanitarian body,” he said.

Oil interests loom in the background

Trump has spoken of fixing Venezuela’s infrastructure and reviving its economy, fuelling speculation that oil lies at the heart of the intervention.

Strydom said oil may prove a ‘collateral benefit’ rather than the primary motive, but warned the US would not act without securing returns.

Global response lacks consistency

While some nations condemned Russia’s actions in Ukraine, reactions to Venezuela have been muted.

European states have been cautious, and African responses subdued. South Africa has called for UN processes to be followed, but stopped short of outright condemnation.

“There is no consistency in how international law is applied,” Strydom said.

Legal hurdles ahead in US courts

Strydom said the manner of Maduro’s capture could complicate prosecution in US courts.

“There is a legal principle that unlawful kidnapping may strip a court of jurisdiction,” he said, though the outcome remains uncertain.

He added that neither the International Court of Justice nor the International Criminal Court would have jurisdiction over the alleged crimes.

For more information, listen to Strydom using the audio player below: