The Economic Community of West African States has expressed deep concern over the unfolding situation in Venezuela following the capture of President Nicolás Maduro by the United States and the subsequent military strikes on the country’s capital, Caracas.
In a statement released on Sunday night, ECOWAS urged the international community to respect Venezuela’s independence and territorial integrity. The regional bloc also expressed solidarity with the Venezuelan people as they seek to determine the future of their country through an inclusive and participatory process.
Over the weekend, United States forces captured President Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, during a military operation that many legal experts have described as unlawful under international law. The couple were subsequently transferred to New York City, where they are currently detained at a federal facility in Brooklyn and face charges related to drug trafficking and terrorism.
United States President Donald Trump has since declared his intention to assert control over Venezuela’s oil reserves, stating that the US would administer the country on an interim basis.
While acknowledging the right of states to combat international crime, ECOWAS called on all nations to adhere strictly to international law, particularly Article 2(4) of the United Nations Charter, which prohibits the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state.
The bloc further aligned itself with the African Union’s position, which has called for restraint, dialogue, and peaceful engagement, including dialogue among Venezuelans themselves, as the most appropriate path toward resolving the crisis.
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