Former South African ambassador to the United States Welile Nhlapo has strongly criticised the actions of US President Donald Trump towards Venezuela, describing them as unacceptable, unlawful and a form of international bullying.
Nhlapo was reacting to the escalating crisis following US military action in Venezuela and the capture of President Nicolás Maduro. He said the use of military force as a tool of international relations violates basic principles of international conduct and places Washington on the wrong side of international law.
Military Action And Sovereignty Concerns
According to Nhlapo, the United States has attempted to justify its actions by framing the intervention as a law enforcement operation linked to drug trafficking allegations against Maduro. He rejected this characterisation, arguing that the operation amounts to an invasion of a sovereign state and the abduction of a sitting, democratically elected president.
Maduro has been indicted in New York on charges including drug trafficking and weapons offences and has long been wanted by US authorities. The United States has previously seized assets linked to the Venezuelan leader and issued a multimillion dollar bounty for his arrest.
Despite these claims, Nhlapo maintained that the US has no legal right to intervene militarily in Venezuela, regardless of whether it recognises the outcome of the country’s elections.
US Doctrine And Resource Interests
Nhlapo also pointed to the US national security doctrine released in December, which identifies the Western Hemisphere as America’s sphere of influence. He said this approach echoes the Monroe Doctrine and reflects a broader strategy aimed at controlling resources in countries viewed as strategically important.
He argued that Venezuela has been treated in a similar manner to other nations with valuable resources, with Washington suggesting it could reclaim such assets without a clear legal basis. In Venezuela’s case, oil remains at the centre of the dispute.
Nhlapo said US refineries are designed to process Venezuela’s heavy sour crude and that Caracas’ growing oil trade with China, India and Russia has further strained relations. He added that Venezuela’s willingness to trade outside the US dollar system and its interest in closer alignment with BRICS nations have heightened tensions with Washington.
Alleged Breaches Of International And US Law
Nhlapo said the intervention violates the United Nations Charter, particularly the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity. He also argued that Trump’s actions may have breached US domestic law, noting that only Congress has the authority to approve military action against a foreign sovereign state.
He added that Congress was neither notified nor granted approval for the operation and that discussions around impeachment were now emerging in Washington.
Control Of Venezuela And Oil Sector
Following the intervention, the US announced it would temporarily administer Venezuela and allow American companies previously expelled from the country to return and operate oil refineries. Trump has invited US firms to invest billions of dollars to rebuild what he described as Venezuela’s broken infrastructure, framing the move as part of efforts to combat narco terrorism.
Nhlapo rejected this justification, saying the real objective was control over Venezuela’s oil resources. He added that with Canada being the only other major producer of similar crude, ongoing tariff disputes with Ottawa have complicated US access to alternative supplies.
Matter Heads To UN Security Council
Venezuela has since taken the matter to the United Nations Security Council, supported by several other states. While Nhlapo acknowledged that the US would likely veto any resolution against it, he said the issue would still be formally recorded as a violation of international law.
He warned that normalising such behaviour could leave other countries vulnerable, as powerful states selectively apply international law when it suits them.
South Africa Also Condemns US Actions
International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola has also condemned Washington’s actions, saying they undermine international law and the UN Charter. He said the intervention violates Venezuela’s territorial integrity and the principles governing respect for sovereign states.
Lamola added that South Africa hoped for robust engagement and progressive decisions when the matter was discussed at the Security Council.
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