New York [US], January 4: President of the United Nations General Assembly Annalena Baerbock on Sunday emphasized that adherence to the UN Charter is mandatory and not optional, as international attention remains focused on Venezuela following recent US military action.
In a post on X, Baerbock stated that the UN Charter must serve as the guiding framework for international conduct “in moments of calm and in times of crisis,” specifically referencing the situation in Venezuela, which she said culminated in US military intervention.
“The UN Charter is not optional—it is our guiding framework, in moments of calm and in times of crisis, like in Venezuela today, culminating with the United States military action,” Baerbock said.
She underlined that Article 2 of the UN Charter clearly stipulates that all member states must refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state or act in any manner inconsistent with the purposes of the United Nations.
Emphasizing the broader implications, Baerbock said respect for the UN Charter and international law forms the foundation of the international order and warned against a global system governed by power rather than law. “A peaceful, safe and just world for everyone is only possible if the rule of law prevails instead of might makes right,” she added.
Baerbock also highlighted the importance of human rights, including those of the Venezuelan people, noting that lasting peace depends on the protection of these rights over violations.
Her remarks come amid rapidly unfolding developments in Venezuela. Footage released by US authorities showed deposed leader Nicolás Maduro in handcuffs during a staged perp walk, where he was seen wishing reporters and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents a Happy New Year and Good Night.
Following Maduro’s removal, Venezuela’s Supreme Court ordered Vice President Delcy Rodríguez to assume the powers and duties of acting president. The ruling, announced late Saturday night local time, stated that Maduro was in a “material and temporary impossibility to exercise his functions.” According to Justice Tania D’Amelio, Rodríguez will “assume and exercise, as acting president, all the powers, duties, and faculties inherent to the office of president of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, in order to guarantee administrative continuity and the comprehensive defense of the nation.” Venezuela’s constitution provides that in cases of temporary or absolute presidential absence, the vice president must assume the role.
Providing context to US actions, former National Security Advisor John Bolton told CNN that a plan to remove Maduro had been presented to US President Donald Trump during his first term but did not advance because officials were unable to keep the president “focused” on the issue. Bolton noted that Trump was “very interested in Venezuelan oil” at the time, and while his team managed to engage him in the plan, they “couldn’t keep him focused on it.” He added that the Venezuelan opposition believed sustained economic pressure would suffice to fracture Maduro’s regime.
The United States later carried out what Trump described as a “large-scale strike against Venezuela” and captured Maduro to face charges, executing the regime change operation without congressional approval. (ANI)
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