United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Monday expressed concern over a possible deterioration of instability in Venezuela following the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by the United States, ahead of a United Nations Security Council meeting on developments in the country.
“I am deeply concerned about the possible worsening of instability in the country, the potential impact on the region, and the precedent this may set for the way relations between states are conducted,” Guterres said in a statement delivered to the Security Council by the UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, Rosemary DiCarlo.
Concerns over international law
In his statement, Guterres also said he was concerned that the US operation to arrest Maduro in Caracas on Saturday did not respect the rules of international law.
“I welcome and stand ready to support all efforts that will help Venezuelans find a peaceful way forward,” he added.
Security Council meeting on Venezuela
The UN Security Council is meeting today to discuss developments in Venezuela.
The permanent mission of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, along with other countries, requested on Saturday that the Council convene following the overnight military intervention in Venezuela and the arrest of the country’s president, Nicolás Maduro, by US forces.