The United Nations Security Council is set to meet on Monday following a US military operation in Venezuela that led to the capture of President Nicolás Maduro.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has warned that the action sets a “dangerous precedent” for global diplomacy.

Diplomats say Colombia, supported by Russia and China, requested the meeting of the 15-member Security Council. The UN body has previously met in October and December to discuss rising tensions between the United States and Venezuela.

The upcoming session is expected to focus on the legality of the US operation and its implications for international peace and security.

Secretary-general warns of dangerous precedent

Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, emphasized that the strike constitutes a serious breach of international norms.

“The Secretary-General continues to emphasize the importance of full respect—by all—of international law, including the UN Charter. He’s deeply concerned that the rules of international law have not been respected,” Dujarric said.

Guterres described the military action as setting a “dangerous precedent”, signaling global concern over unilateral use of force.

Venezuela calls it colonial war

Venezuela’s UN Ambassador, Samuel Moncada, described the US strike as a “colonial war” aimed at destroying the country’s elected government and installing a puppet regime.

He wrote that the action violates the UN Charter, which requires all members to refrain from using force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state.

US President Donald Trump stated that Washington would “run Venezuela until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition,” although specifics of this oversight remain unclear.

The Trump administration has for months targeted suspected drug trafficking along the Venezuelan and Latin American coasts. In recent weeks, the US ramped up its military presence and intercepted tankers carrying Venezuelan crude, citing national security concerns.

US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz defended the operation as justified under Article 51 of the UN Charter, describing Maduro as an “indicted, illegitimate dictator” who led a narco-terrorism organization responsible for killing American citizens.