New York [US], January 6 (ANI): Rosemary A. DiCarlo, UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, has expressed deep concern over the recent US military operation in Venezuela and the subsequent capture of President Nicolas Maduro.
Speaking at a United Nations Security Council meeting following the January 3 US strike, DiCarlo said, “We meet at a grave time following the 3 January United States military action in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. The extent of casualties resulting from these actions remains undetermined.”
She noted that US President Donald Trump announced the strike on social media on Saturday, describing it as a “large-scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro.” DiCarlo added that Trump stated, “We are going to run the country until such time that we can do a safe, proper, and judicious transition.”
DiCarlo said the Venezuelan government has characterized the US operation as a military aggression affecting both civilian and military areas and called it a “flagrant violation of the charter,” posing a threat to international and regional peace and security.
She further highlighted that President Maduro is currently being held in New York, accused by US authorities of serious criminal offenses alongside his wife, Cilia Flores. DiCarlo emphasized the uncertainty surrounding Venezuela’s immediate future and warned of the risk of intensified instability.
“What is less certain is the immediate future of Venezuela. I am deeply concerned about the possible intensification and the instability in the country, the potential impact on the region, and the precedent it may set for how relations between and among states are conducted,” DiCarlo said.
Meanwhile, during their first court appearance in New York, Venezuela’s deposed leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, pleaded not guilty to all charges and accused the United States government of abducting them from their home country, CNN reported.
According to CNN, both Maduro and Flores denied the drug trafficking and weapons-related charges filed against them and, for now, did not contest their continued detention. The appearance marked a historic moment and the beginning of what is expected to be a prolonged legal battle, as their defense is likely to challenge the legality of their military capture.
Following the military operation to arrest Maduro, President Trump said, “We’re in charge.”
Meanwhile, the Trump administration has signaled that it will closely monitor developments in Venezuela under interim leadership. However, Maduro’s long-time vice president, Delcy Rodriguez, was sworn in as acting president on Monday, according to CNN.
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