South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on the United Nations Security Council to take urgent action following the United States’ military capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, describing the operation as a violation of international law and a threat to regional stability.
In statements to the press and at international forums, Ramaphosa expressed deep concern that the U.S. action undermines Venezuela’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter and foundational to the global rules-based order. He emphasised that such unilateral military interventions set a dangerous precedent that could embolden similar actions elsewhere and weaken trust in international legal frameworks.
Ramaphosa’s appeal to the UN comes amid sharp global division over the U.S. operation, with some nations criticising it as unlawful and destabilising, while others have offered cautious support or contextualised it within counter-narcotics efforts. South Africa’s position aligns with broader concerns voiced by African states and regional blocs emphasising the importance of multilateral dialogue, respect for sovereignty and peaceful resolution of political disputes.
By urging the Security Council to intervene, Ramaphosa has signalled Pretoria’s intent to leverage international institutions to address what it views as an escalation with implications far beyond the Western Hemisphere, stressing that global peace and security depend on adherence to agreed norms and collective action.
