U.S. Ambassador Mike Waltz defended the U.S. indictment and an operation that U.S. officials say led to the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, invoking Article 51 of the U.N. Charter to justify the action as self-defense. He said U.S. authorities allege Maduro coordinated with foreign states and terrorist groups to traffic drugs and weapons. The capture follows months of U.S. actions against alleged narcoterrorism networks. Venezuela and Colombia requested an emergency U.N. Security Council meeting set for Monday at 10 a.m. ET.
U.S. Envoy Mike Waltz Defends Capture Of Nicolás Maduro, Cites Article 51 Ahead Of U.N. Security Council Meeting
Mike Waltz speaks during an event titled "Passing the Baton: Strategies for Success" at the U.S. Institute of Peace in Washington on Jan. 14, 2025.
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz on Sunday defended Washington’s indictment and the U.S. operation that officials say led to the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, and previewed what to expect at an emergency U.N. Security Council session scheduled for Monday.
Waltz Frames Action As Self-Defense
"You're going to hear a lot of hand-wringing on Article 2 of the U.N. Charter, which deals with sovereignty, and I will remind everyone of Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, which is a nation's inherent right to self-defense," Waltz said on Sunday Morning Futures.
Waltz argued that the United States has been confronting what U.S. officials describe as a "drug kingpin" who has allegedly coordinated with foreign states and non-state actors. He claimed Maduro worked with nations such as China, Russia and Iran and groups like Hezbollah to traffic drugs, personnel and weapons toward the United States and to threaten neighboring countries.
Operation, Reactions And Legal Debate
The Trump administration carried out an operation on Saturday that U.S. officials say resulted in Maduro's capture. The move prompted mixed reactions in Washington, with members of both parties raising questions about legality, international law and Venezuela's political future.
Nicolás Maduro, right, meets with Qi Xiaoqi, special envoy of Chinese President Xi Jinping, in Caracas, Venezuela, on Jan. 2.
Officials said the operation followed months of actions targeting what they described as narcoterrorism networks tied to Venezuela, including strikes on suspected drug-running vessels in Caribbean waters.
U.N. Security Council Meeting
Venezuela and neighboring Colombia requested an emergency U.N. Security Council meeting. According to U.S. and U.N. sources, the session is scheduled for Monday at 10 a.m. ET to address the capture and its diplomatic and security implications.
Broader Regional Concerns
Waltz also warned about external powers expanding influence in Latin America. He said China has aggressively sought energy and strategic infrastructure — including ports, rail and food supplies — across Central and South America, framing those developments as a critical national security concern for the United States.
Context: This article reports statements by U.S. officials and describes reactions in Washington and at the U.N. The claims about Maduro’s ties to foreign states and groups are presented as allegations cited by U.S. authorities and have been the subject of political and legal debate.
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