Spokesperson For The UN High Commissioner For Human Rights: Ravina Shamdasani

Location: Geneva
Date: 6 January 2026
Subject: Venezuela

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights is deeply worried about the situation in Venezuela following the United States of America’s military operation over the weekend. It is clear that the operation undermined a fundamental principle of international law – that States must not threaten or use force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state.

The U.S. has justified its intervention on the grounds of the Venezuelan Government’s longstanding and appalling human rights record, but accountability for human rights violations cannot be achieved by unilateral military intervention in violation of international law. The people of Venezuela deserve accountability through a fair, victim-centred process.

As has been clear in the UN Human Rights Office’s consistent reporting on the continued deterioration of the situation in Venezuela for about a decade, the rights of the Venezuelan people have been violated for too long. We fear that the current instability and further militarization in the country resulting from the U.S. intervention will only make the situation worse.

The state of emergency declared by the Venezuelan authorities that took effect on Saturday raises concerns as it authorizes restrictions on free movement of people, the seizure of property necessary for national defense, and the suspension of the right to assembly and to protest, among other measures.

The High Commissioner calls on the U.S. and the Venezuelan authorities, as well as the international community, to ensure full respect for international law, including human rights.

The future of Venezuela must be determined by the Venezuelan people alone, with full respect for their human rights, including the right to self-determination, and sovereignty over their lives and their resources.

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