Pakistan Voices Deep Concern at UN Over Venezuela Crisis, Calls for Diplomacy and De-Escalation
New York: Pakistan has expressed serious concern over the rapidly unfolding situation in Venezuela, warning that rising tensions could threaten not only regional stability but also broader international peace and security.
The remarks were delivered during an emergency session of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) convened to discuss recent developments in Venezuela. The meeting, chaired by Somalia, marked the Council’s first formal gathering of the year.
The session followed a dramatic turn of events after the United States carried out a surprise military operation in Venezuela, during which American special forces detained President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, in a nighttime raid over the weekend.
Pakistan Warns Against Escalation Amid Global Crises
Addressing the Council, Pakistan’s Acting Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Usman Jadoon, cautioned that instability in Venezuela comes at a time when the world is already grappling with multiple overlapping crises.
He stressed that further escalation in the region could have far-reaching consequences, stating that such developments do not bode well for regional or international peace and security.
Pakistan’s message focused on the broader implications of unilateral military action, highlighting the risk of setting dangerous precedents in international relations.
Emphasis on UN Charter and International Law
Ambassador Jadoon reminded Council members that the United Nations Charter obligates all states to refrain from the use or threat of force against the territorial integrity and political independence of other nations.
He underlined core principles of international law, including:
- Sovereign equality of states
- Non-interference in internal affairs
- Peaceful resolution of disputes
According to Pakistan, unilateral military actions violate these fundamental norms and undermine the doctrine of sovereign immunity, potentially weakening the global legal framework that governs relations between states.
Warning of Long-Term Consequences
Pakistan cautioned that actions taken outside established international mechanisms often fuel prolonged instability.
Drawing on historical experience, Ambassador Jadoon warned that such situations can spiral into unpredictable and uncontrollable outcomes, with consequences lasting for years.
From Pakistan’s perspective, military solutions rarely lead to sustainable peace and instead risk deepening divisions and regional uncertainty.
Call for Dialogue, Diplomacy, and Restraint
Calling for an immediate de-escalation of tensions, Pakistan urged all parties involved to choose dialogue over confrontation.
The Pakistani envoy emphasized that lasting solutions to political disputes can only be achieved through peaceful means, with full respect for the will of the Venezuelan people and without external interference.
Pakistan also encouraged the use of mediation efforts, noting that the offices of the UN Secretary-General remain available to facilitate dialogue.
Latin America as a “Zone of Peace”
Ambassador Jadoon expressed hope that Latin America and the Caribbean, long recognised as a “Zone of Peace”, would remain free from conflict and military confrontation.
He highlighted the importance of regional cooperation and peaceful engagement in advancing prosperity and stability across the region.
Pakistan Reaffirms Commitment to Peaceful Solutions
Concluding his statement, Pakistan reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the UNSC’s core mandate of maintaining international peace and security.
The country pledged to continue contributing constructively by:
- Promoting diplomatic engagement
- Supporting peaceful dispute resolution
- Upholding international law and the UN Charter
“Peace and stability in Venezuela, along with the welfare and prosperity of its people, must remain the central objective of all efforts,” Ambassador Jadoon concluded, stressing the importance of Venezuelan ownership over any political outcome.
