International law is a toothless tiger: Venezuela as another showcase

According to the UN Charter, the United States' military intervention in Venezuela is illegal. The use of force is permitted only with UN Security Council approval or in response to a direct armed attack on a member state. Nonetheless, the operation enjoys significant support among the Venezuelan people: many celebrate the removal of the illegitimate president Nicolás Maduro, though uncertainty prevails about the next steps in the country's future. Maduro clung to power following the 2024 elections, despite widespread evidence that he lost to opposition candidate Edmundo González. This military intervention by the U.S. is another showcase where international law is ignored.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has reacted positively to the U.S. intervention in Venezuela, suggesting that Washington now "knows what to do next" with other dictators—a remark widely interpreted as a hint at removing Russian President Vladimir Putin. The European Union has expressed concern, emphasizing that international law and the UN Charter must be respected, while reiterating that Maduro lacked democratic legitimacy as president. The BRICS countries condemn the attack of the United States. China and Russia condemn the intervention by the U.S. and state that sovereignty of Venezuela and international law should be respected. China remained silent during Russia's invasion of Ukraine, showing no respect for Ukraine's sovereignty.

A U.S.-led intervention in Venezuela through the UN Security Council would never have been approved, due to vetoes from Venezuela's allies, Russia and China—even though the removal of Maduro aligns morally with the clear wishes of the Venezuelan people. Now, the United States has taken unilateral action, justifying it on the grounds that Venezuelan drug trafficking poses a direct threat to U.S. national security. President Trump has stated that the U.S. will temporarily administer Venezuela. It is crucial for the Venezuelan people that control be returned to them as soon as possible, enabling the country to restore democracy. The United States' international reputation will suffer further damage if it prioritizes its own interests over those of the Venezuelan people.

International law has no power in itself, it is effective only when backed by powerful nations and when countries that violate it face severe consequences. Countries like Russia and Israel routinely violate the Charters of the United Nations. UN resolutions regularly condemn the actions of Russia and Israel, and a U.S. military intervention in Venezuela would almost certainly face similar condemnation. Yet the targeted countries simply ignore these resolutions and act as they see fit. The United Nations has become a toothless tiger. While the U.S. action may ultimately benefit the Venezuelan people by removing an oppressive regime, it serves as yet another sign that international law has no real power.