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The legality of the US capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro will be in the spotlight at the United Nations on Monday, but Washington is unlikely to face strong criticism from allies for its military operation in the Latin American country.
The 15-member UN Security Council is set to meet on Monday after US Special Forces captured Maduro in a raid on Saturday. Venezuelan authorities also said the operation was deadly. Maduro is now in custody in New York awaiting a court appearance on Monday on drug charges.
Russia, China and other allies of Venezuela have accused the United States of violating international law, but US allies, many of whom opposed Maduro, have been less vocal about concerns over the use of military force.
"Judging by the reactions of European leaders to date, I doubt that US allies will provide strong opinions in the Security Council," said Richard Gowan, director of global affairs and institutions at the International Crisis Group, a research organization.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres sees the US operation as setting “a dangerous precedent,” his spokesman said on Saturday. Many legal experts also say the US action was illegal, although Washington will be able to block any UN Security Council effort to hold it accountable.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has insisted that the US is not at war with Venezuela, following airstrikes in Caracas on Saturday that led to the arrest of Maduro and his wife and their transport to the US.
Some Democratic lawmakers said the operation was an "act of war."
In an interview with The Atlantic on Sunday, Trump said of Rodríguez: “If she doesn’t do what’s right, she’s going to pay a very big price, probably bigger than Maduro.”
He added that for Venezuela, "Regime change, whatever you want to call it, is better than what you have now. It can't get any worse."
On Saturday, Trump vowed that the US would "lead" the country until "a safe, orderly and wise transition" was possible.
Trump also promised that American oil companies would move into the country to fix the infrastructure "and start making money for the country."
Despite the US president's claims, Maduro's allies remain in charge.
The Cuban government has said 32 "brave Cuban fighters" died when US forces attacked and captured Maduro and his wife. Cuba, a socialist ally of Maduro, has declared two days of national mourning.
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