New York, Jan 05 (V7N) - On Saturday morning, US forces carried out a high-profile operation in Venezuela, detaining President Nicolás Maduro and his spouse. The move has ignited a heated debate over its legality under international law. Legal experts widely assert that the operation directly violates United Nations mandates, although whether the United States will face any formal consequences remains uncertain.

The operation, reportedly ordered by US President Donald Trump, has drawn strong condemnation from several countries, including Russia, Iran, and China. UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed deep concern over the operation, emphasizing that such actions risk setting dangerous precedents in international relations. A UN spokesperson warned that attacks of this nature could normalize military interventions that bypass international law.

According to a report published on Sunday by British investigative journalist Geraldine McKelvey in The Guardian, international law specialists anticipate that the US may frame the operation as an act of self-defense. This approach, however, raises questions about the legitimacy of the raid, with some of Trump’s political allies suggesting that the action constitutes a serious breach of international legal norms.

Analysts note that while Washington may claim self-defense, the unilateral nature of the operation and the seizure of a sitting head of state challenge established diplomatic protocols. The incident has heightened global diplomatic tensions, with calls for the international community to address potential violations of sovereignty and human rights.

The detention has sparked concern about regional stability in Latin America, and observers warn that such operations could exacerbate geopolitical conflicts if left unchecked. The international community continues to watch closely as discussions unfold over the legal and diplomatic implications of the US intervention in Venezuela.

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