At UNSC, US Calls Maduro ‘Narco-Terrorist’ As Venezuela Accuses Washington Of Kidnapping Him

As Maduro (centre) appeared in a New York court, Venezuela’s Samuel Moncada (right) and US envoy Mike Waltz (left) clashed at the UN over his capture. (IMAGE: REUTERS)

At the United Nations Security Council on Monday, the United States and Venezuela traded accusations over Washington’s military operation that led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, with Caracas calling the move a “kidnapping” and the US branding Maduro a “narco-terrorist”.

Venezuela’s representative Samuel Moncada told the council that the country had been subjected to an armed attack, alleging bombing of its territory, civilian casualties and the illegal detention of its president and first lady.

He said the operation violated the UN Charter, the Geneva Conventions and the principle of immunity for heads of state, warning that such actions set a dangerous precedent for all nations.

The UNSC debate unfolded as Maduro appeared before a US federal court in Manhattan earlier on Monday. He pleaded not guilty to drug trafficking and narco-terrorism charges and told the judge he had been forcibly taken from Venezuela.

“I was captured,” Maduro said, according to reporters present in the courtroom.

His wife, Cilia Flores, also pleaded not guilty, saying she was “completely innocent”. The case is being heard by US District Judge Alvin Hellerstein.

“Maduro Linked To Hezbollah”

Defending Washington’s actions at the council, US envoy Mike Waltz accused Maduro of running a narco-terrorist network that trafficked hundreds of tonnes of drugs into the United States and maintained links with groups such as Hezbollah.

Waltz said Venezuela had become a base for criminal and hostile actors, fuelling instability and mass migration across the region.

He added that “thousands of Venezuelans are celebrating” Maduro’s removal and said the United States would not allow the hemisphere to be used by narco-terror groups or adversaries.

The emergency UNSC meeting was convened following a military operation ordered by US President Donald Trump, which resulted in Maduro’s capture in Caracas and his transfer to the United States to face criminal charges.

The Trump administration has described the operation as a law-enforcement action, saying Maduro turned Venezuela into a key drug trafficking hub and threatened regional security. Trump has said he gave diplomacy a chance before authorising the operation.

Russia, China Slam US

Russia and China strongly criticised the US move at the council. Russia’s UN ambassador Vasily Nebenzya demanded Maduro’s immediate release, calling the operation a return to an era of lawlessness and a violation of sovereignty.

China said it was “deeply shocked” by the strike, accusing Washington of bullying behaviour, bypassing the Security Council and placing its own power above international law. Beijing called for the release of Maduro and his wife and urged a return to dialogue and diplomacy.

Argentina, Latvia Side With US

Pakistan warned that the operation set a dangerous precedent and urged restraint and mediation through the United Nations. Several US allies took more nuanced positions.

Latvia and Argentina sided with Washington, while Denmark, the United Kingdom and France expressed concern over the use of force and stressed the need for a peaceful, Venezuelan-led transition consistent with international law.