Author: UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
Publication: OHCHR
Date: January 7, 2026
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United Nations human rights experts strongly condemned large-scale military action carried out by the United States against Venezuela, including bombardment of Caracas and other cities and the forcible abduction of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife.
The experts stated these actions represent grave violations of international law, breach Article 2(4) of the UN Charter prohibiting use of force against territorial integrity, and may constitute the international crime of aggression. The actions reportedly caused loss of life and followed unilateral coercive measures including naval blockade, armed seizure of tankers, and extrajudicial killings of at least 115 civilians. The experts noted that sitting heads of state have immunity from criminal jurisdiction of foreign courts under customary international law.They expressed grave concern over subsequent statements by the US President asserting America would "rule the country" during transition and extract "tremendous amount of wealth," calling this a violation of peoples' right to self-determination and sovereignty over natural resources. The experts warned these actions signal deliberate challenge to international legal order and urged UN Member States to condemn the aggression and act decisively to halt actions contrary to international law.
The experts:
George Katrougalos, Independent Expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order
Ben Saul, Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism
Surya Deva, Special Rapporteur on the right to development
Farida Shaheed, Special Rapporteur on the right to education
Reem Alsalem, Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, its causes and consequences
Nicolas Levrat, Special Rapporteur on minority issues
Balakrishnan Rajagopal, Special Rapporteur on the right to adequate housing
Michelle Small (Chair-Rapporteur), Ravindran Daniel, Jovana Jezdimirovic Ranito, Joana de Deus Pereira, Andrés Macías Tolosa, Working Group on the use of mercenaries
Ashwini K.P. Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance
Cecilia M. Bailliet, Independent Expert on human rights and international solidarity
Claudia Mahler, Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons
Mai Sato, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran
Elizabeth Salmón, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
Alena Douhan, Special Rapporteur on unilateral coercive measures
Ana Brian Nougrères, Special Rapporteur on the right to privacy
Francesca Albanese: Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967
Mary Lawlor, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
Attiya Waris, Independent Expert on the effects of foreign debt and other related international financial obligations and human rights
"These actions represent a grave, manifest and deliberate violation of the most fundamental principles of international law, set a dangerous precedent, and risk destabilising the entire region and the world." — UN experts
"All of these measures are contrary to international and humanitarian law, including the non-derogable right to life." — UN experts
"This unprecedented attack on Venezuela must not be viewed as an isolated incident, but rather as part of a broader and deeply troubling pattern of systematic disregard for peace, international law and multilateral institutions." — UN experts
"Taken together, these practices signal a deliberate challenge to the international legal order and to the very principle that power should be constrained by law. If tolerated, such actions would normalise lawlessness in international relations and would fatally undermine the global order." — UN experts
"Venezuela's vast natural resources, including the largest proven oil reserves in the world, must not be cynically exploited through thinly veiled pretexts to legitimise military aggression, foreign occupation, or regime-change strategies." — UN experts
"The future of Venezuela must be determined by the Venezuelan people alone, in full sovereignty, through dialogue and accountability, ensuring the meaningful and equal participation of women in all decision-making processes and fully adhering to the principles of democratic governance, respect for human rights, judicial independence and civic space." — UN experts
"Upholding international law is an imperative for the survival of a democratic and equitable international order rooted in the rule of law." — UN experts
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