Korede Abdullah 
UN Secretary-General, António Guterres
LAGOS, Nigeria – The United Nations warns that the reported capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by United States special forces sets a “dangerous precedent” with far-reaching global consequences.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres expresses deep alarm over the alleged military operation, saying it risks undermining international norms and further destabilising Latin America. His concerns are conveyed in a statement issued on Saturday in New York by UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric.
“The Secretary-General is deeply alarmed by the recent escalation in Venezuela, culminating in today’s reported United States military action,” the statement says, adding that the development carries “potentially worrying implications for the region.”
Guterres stresses that, regardless of Venezuela’s internal political crisis, the reported seizure of a sitting head of state represents a serious breach of international conduct.
“Independently of the situation in Venezuela, these developments constitute a dangerous precedent,” he warns, noting that such actions could erode global respect for sovereignty and international law.
The reported capture of Maduro and his wife follow months of escalating tension between Washington and Caracas and is publicly announced by US President Donald Trump on his Truth Social platform. Details of the operation remain unclear, with no official confirmation from Venezuelan authorities.
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Oluwatobi Adu 
Edino Chubiyo Cornelius 
Otamere Gladness