UN Security Council is unlikely to condemn America’s action against Maduro
In the media image: Mathias Reding on Unsplash
The UN Security Council met to discuss America’s action against Venezuela when it seized Nicolás Maduro. Larissa van den Herik, Professor of International Law, said on Dutch national news that it is unlikely the Security Council will condemn the US.
As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, the US has veto power. Van den Herik says the meeting on Monday 5 January is important from a political and legal perspective: ‘It's about how countries position themselves and who explicitly supports or distances themselves from the US.’ She points to historical parallels, particularly the situation in Panama in 1989 and the proceedings against Manuel Noriega. At the time, the United Kingdom and France openly supported the US, and they vetoed a resolution against the US in the Security Council.
This is not to be expected now, but European countries are very cautious, according to Van den Herik. ‘The EU communiqué of 4 January is generally very abstract: it refers to international law, while also emphasising the importance of fighting crime and the fact that Maduro is not widely acknowledged as the president of Venezuela.’ Nevertheless, she does expect that certain countries will speak out more firmly. Denmark and Latvia have a direct interest in complying with international law, given the threat to Greenland and their geographical position. China and Russia will most likely condemn the US, according to Van den Herik, but she notes that these superpowers largely share a similar worldview to the US at present. Van den Herik expects that ‘the countries feeling the most direct threat – the Latin-American nations – will speak out most explicitly.'
In addition, Van den Herik also discussed the trial against Maduro that got underway with his first appearance before an American court. She says that questions to be dealt with at the trial include: 'does the American court have jurisdiction, can you try someone you first kidnapped, is there sufficient evidence, and what about the immunity of Maduro as head of state?'
More information?
Watch the NOS news broadcast and listen to the NOS Radio 1 item (both in Dutch).