The Alliance of Sahel States (AES), a bloc made up of the ruling military juntas of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, has condemned what it calls an “act of aggression” by the United States in Venezuela. The alliance criticized Washington’s recent operation that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, calling it a serious breach of international law and the United Nations Charter.
U.S. special forces carried out the operation over the weekend in Caracas, reportedly striking key military sites and disrupting power in parts of the Venezuelan capital before seizing Maduro and his wife. The couple were flown to New York, where they appeared in court and pleaded not guilty on Monday to charges including narco-terrorism.
In its statement, the AES urged the U.N. Security Council to step in and explicitly condemn the U.S. military action, calling for a return to lawful international relations and stronger respect for national sovereignty. The bloc reaffirmed its support for a world order based on equality among sovereign states and peaceful resolution of disputes.
The move adds to a growing list of global reactions. At a recent U.N. Security Council meeting, members including Brazil, China and Russia criticized the U.S. operation as a violation of international law and underscored concerns about regional stability and the precedent it may set.
The situation continues to evolve, with international debate focused on legality, sovereignty and how best to address the deepening crisis in Venezuela.
