The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has condemned the reported U.S. military action in Venezuela, warning that it poses a serious threat to the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity under international law.
In a statement issued on Sunday from its headquarters in Abuja, ECOWAS expressed concern over developments in South America following reports that a U.S. operation in Caracas led to the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.
While acknowledging the global fight against organised crime, the West African bloc cautioned against unilateral military interventions, stressing that such actions undermine established international norms.
“ECOWAS wishes to remind the international community of its obligation to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states, as enshrined in international law, particularly Article 2(4) of the United Nations Charter,” the statement said.
The bloc also expressed solidarity with the people of Venezuela, emphasising their right to determine the future of their country through inclusive and lawful processes rather than external military force.
Reports emerging from Venezuela indicate significant casualties following the operation. The New York Times, citing Venezuelan officials, reported that at least 80 people were killed, with the number expected to rise as rescue and recovery efforts continue around key government and security installations.
Venezuela’s Defence Minister, Vladimir Padrino, confirmed that large sections of the president’s security detail were incapacitated during the operation, which reportedly involved advanced aerial and ground assets.
In the United States, President Donald Trump confirmed that President Maduro and his wife had been taken into U.S. custody. He stated that the United States would temporarily assume control to stabilise the situation, including the possible deployment of U.S. troops.
The couple reportedly arrived in New York under heavy security and are being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. U.S. authorities are expected to pursue charges including international drug trafficking and alleged cooperation with criminal and terrorist networks.
Venezuelan officials have rejected the U.S. action, describing the arrests as an unlawful abduction and calling for the immediate release of the detained leaders. President Maduro has consistently denied all allegations against him, characterising them as an attempt at forced regime change.
ECOWAS’ intervention in the matter reflects growing concern among regional blocs about the erosion of the rules-based international order and the increasing reliance on military power in resolving political disputes.
