Türk says U.S. operation in Venezuela clearly undermines fundamental principle of international law
Source: UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights is deeply worried about the situation in Venezuela following the United States of America’s military operation over the weekend. It is clear that the operation undermined a fundamental principle of international law – that States must not threaten or use force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state.
The U.S. has justified its intervention on the grounds of the Venezuelan Government’s longstanding and appalling human rights record, but accountability for human rights violations cannot be achieved by unilateral military intervention in violation of international law. The people of Venezuela deserve accountability through a fair, victim-centred process.
As has been clear in the UN Human Rights Office’s consistent reporting on the continued deterioration of the situation in Venezuela for about a decade, the rights of the Venezuelan people have been violated for too long. We fear that the current instability and further militarization in the country resulting from the U.S. intervention will only make the situation worse.
The state of emergency declared by the Venezuelan authorities that took effect on Saturday raises concerns as it authorizes restrictions on free movement of people, the seizure of property necessary for national defense, and the suspension of the right to assembly and to protest, among other measures.
Read more: https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-briefing-notes/2026/01/turk-says-us-operation-venezuela-clearly-undermines-fundamental
(Volker Türk is the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights)
Beyond the legal arguments, history teaches us that while attempts at regime change may initially be greeted by relief, they often lead to massive human rights violations, dangerous chaos and protracted violent conflict.
The human rights of Venezuelans are not a bargaining chip, or a point to be scored. I have visited Venezuela and spoken with its people, and I feel deeply for them at this moment. I feel for those waiting desperately for news about their loved ones; for families who have been separated; and for all those with empty places at their tables during this holiday season. Human rights need to be central to Venezuela’s future – not an afterthought, taking a back seat to negotiations around the exploitation of fossil fuels. The country’s future must be decided by its people.
More broadly, human rights cannot be treated like an ideological ping-pong ball. We cannot afford for our rights to be instrumentalised: invoked when they’re convenient, and vilified when they’re not. I fear for people in the region and around the world who are deeply alarmed by what this breach in international law means for their own safety and security. This is not about choosing between unilateral intervention that runs contrary to international law, or ignoring years of human rights violations. We need more fidelity to human rights law around the world, not less.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/jan/05/trump-military-action-venezuela-us
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