By: ThinkBusiness Africa
The African Union (AU), issued a stern rebuke of the United States (US) military invasion of Venezuela and the capture of President Nicolás Maduro, saying the US must respect the sovereignty of the Venezuelan nation.
In a statement released from its headquarters in Ethiopia, the 55-member continental body expressed “grave concern” over the pre-dawn strikes on Caracas (Venezuela capital city), characterizing the intervention as a “manifest violation” of international law and a “dangerous precedent” for global stability.
“The African Union expresses its solidarity with the Venezuelan people and reiterates its commitment to the promotion of peace, stability, and mutual respect among nations and regions,” the AU said.
The Union further argued that the “complex internal challenges” facing Venezuela cannot be solved through foreign military force, but only through “inclusive political dialogue among Venezuelans themselves.”
The AU’s response follows the dramatic events of Saturday, when U.S. forces launched “Operation Absolute Resolve.”
Over 150 U.S. aircraft and special operations teams targeted Venezuelan military installations and safe houses in Caracas and three surrounding states (Miranda, La Guaira, and Aragua).
President Trump confirmed that the U.S. Special Forces captured president Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores during the operation.
At least 40 people, including civilians and Venezuelan soldiers, are reported dead. Maduro has since been flown to New York to face federal drug-trafficking charges with the US drug enforcement agency (DEA).
President Trump had thrown serious accusations against the Venezuelan president: accusing Nicolás Maduro of drug trafficking into the U.S, crude oil theft, being a cartel leader and a dictator.
On Sunday, The South Africa government called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council, with the Department of International Relations stating that “history has repeatedly demonstrated that military invasions yield only instability.”
The South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU) called the act “naked aggression” and “regime-change warfare.”
While the AU and nations like China, Russia, and Brazil have condemned the strikes, others have remained supportive or divided.
President Trump said in a press conference on Saturday that the U.S. will “run” Venezuela and its oil industry until a “judicious transition” can be arranged.
Israel, France and Australia governments issued statements welcoming the removal of a “dictator,” with Australia’s Liberal-National Coalition stating that “despots must face justice.”
The UN Security Council is scheduled to convene an emergency session on Monday, January 5, to discuss the legality of the operation and the status of the captured Venezuelan leader.
