The United Nations (UN) on Tuesday voiced serious concern over a dramatic US military-style operation in Venezuela. It warned that the action violated core principles of international law.

Speaking in Geneva, UN human rights office spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani stressed that countries must respect each other’s sovereignty.

“States must not threaten or use force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state,” AFP quoted Shamdasani as saying.

Reports of US Raid on Caracas

Her statement came after reports that US commandos forcibly detained Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, early on Saturday.

According to these reports, the operation involved airstrikes on Caracas. US warplanes supported the raid, while naval forces maintained a strong presence nearby.

Soon after the operation, Venezuelan authorities swore in Maduro’s vice president as interim president.

US Charges Against Maduro

The United States has charged Maduro with four criminal offences. These include serious allegations such as narco-terrorism. Washington has defended its actions by pointing to Venezuela’s human rights record under Maduro’s leadership.

UN Rejects US Justification

However, the UN rights office dismissed that justification. Shamdasani made it clear that allegations of human rights abuses do not give any country the right to use force against another state.

Her remarks underlined growing international unease over the precedent such actions could set and the wider impact on global norms.