US allies will be wary, experts warn ahead of UN meeting

The United Nations (UN) will meet on Monday to discuss the legality of the US military operation in Venezuela, during which US special forces captured President Nicolás Maduro. He is currently in detention in New York, facing charges of narcoterrorism.

The United States is facing accusations of violations of international law, particularly from Russia, China and other Venezuelan allies.

"Judging by the reactions of European leaders so far, I suspect U.S. allies will be very cautious in their statements at the Security Council," said Richard Gowan, director of global issues and institutions at the International Crisis Group think tank.

U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres sees the U.S. operation as setting a "dangerous precedent." US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz defended the operation, citing the right to self-defence under the UN Charter.

However, legal experts say the US has no legal basis to use force without the consent of the UN Security Council or Venezuela.

The United States can veto any decision of the UN Security Council, as it shares that power with the other permanent members: Russia, Britain, France and China.

(reuters, max)