Nigeria TV Info — Foreign Affairs

South Africa Condemns US Military Action Against Venezuela, Calls for Emergency UN Meeting

South Africa has strongly condemned what it described as an unlawful and unilateral military action by the United States against Venezuela, urging the United Nations Security Council to convene an emergency session to address the escalating situation.

In a media statement issued on Saturday, January 3, 2026, South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) said the government was viewing recent developments in Venezuela with “grave concern,” warning that such actions pose a serious threat to international peace and security.

According to the statement, the United States has confirmed that it carried out what it termed a “large-scale military strike” against Venezuela, resulting in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, who were reportedly flown out of the country.

The South African government stressed that the use of force outside the framework of international law and without explicit authorization from the UN Security Council undermines the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and peaceful resolution of disputes as enshrined in the United Nations Charter.

Pretoria called on all parties involved to exercise maximum restraint and urged the international community to prioritize dialogue and diplomacy over military confrontation. South Africa also emphasized the need for multilateral engagement to prevent further instability in the Latin American region.

The situation has sparked widespread international reactions, with several countries and organizations expressing concern over the implications of the reported US action on global order and regional stability.