UNITED NATIONS: Pakistan has voiced “profound concern” over recent developments in Venezuela, warning that escalating tensions risk undermining regional and international peace and security.
Speaking at an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in New York on Monday, Pakistan’s Acting Permanent Representative, Ambassador Usman Jadoon, cautioned that instability in Latin America comes at a time when the world is already grappling with multiple crises.
The meeting — the first UNSC session of the year and chaired by Somalia — was convened following a US military operation over the weekend in which American special forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, during a nighttime raid.
Addressing the Council, Ambassador Jadoon reminded member states that the UN Charter obliges countries to refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity and political independence of any state. He stressed that principles such as sovereign equality, non-interference in internal affairs and the peaceful settlement of disputes are central to the international system.
He warned that unilateral military actions violate these “sacrosanct principles”, including the doctrine of sovereign immunity, and set dangerous precedents that risk eroding the foundations of international law.
“History has shown time and again that such actions fuel instability and can lead to unpredictable and uncontrollable outcomes for years to come,” Jadoon said.
Calling for immediate de-escalation, the Pakistani envoy said dialogue and diplomacy must remain the only viable path forward. He emphasised that lasting solutions to political disputes can only be achieved through peaceful means and with full respect for the will of the Venezuelan people, free from external interference.
Jadoon also expressed hope that Latin America and the Caribbean — recognised internationally as a “Zone of Peace” — would remain free from conflict and continue progressing towards greater regional cooperation and shared prosperity.
Pakistan urged all parties to exercise maximum restraint, avoid steps that could further inflame tensions, and engage in dialogue, including through sincere mediation efforts. In this regard, Jadoon noted that the offices of the UN secretary-general remain available to facilitate such processes.
He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to working constructively within the Security Council to defuse tensions, promote peaceful conflict resolution and uphold international law.
“The peace and stability of Venezuela, and the welfare and prosperity of its people, with full national ownership, must be the overriding objective of all efforts,” he said.
