The African Union (AU) and South Africa have issued strong statements supporting Venezuela's sovereignty following the dramatic deposition of President Nicolás Maduro and reported U.S. military actions targeting state institutions. The AU, in a declaration released Saturday, condemned foreign interference and stressed adherence to international law principles including territorial integrity and self-determination.
Maduro was reportedly extracted from a Caracas military base in a midnight operation and arrived in New York on January 3, 2026, according to eyewitness accounts. The AU emphasized that Venezuela's political challenges must be resolved through inclusive dialogue, warning that external interventions 'undermine the foundations of peaceful coexistence.'
South Africa's International Relations Ministry echoed these concerns, drawing parallels to historical conflicts exacerbated by foreign military involvement. 'Unilateral force creates lasting instability,' the statement read, urging the UN Security Council to convene urgently. Both entities highlighted the UN Charter's mandate against armed intervention in sovereign states' affairs.
Analysts suggest this unified African stance could influence upcoming Security Council deliberations, particularly as several member states weigh responses to the Venezuela situation. The developments come amid heightened global tensions over the appropriate international response to political crises.
