African States Rally Behind Venezuela After US Arrest of Maduro
African countries and regional blocs have moved to defend Venezuela’s sovereignty after the United States captured President Nicolás Maduro and flew him to New York to face federal charges, prompting warnings from Africa that the move risks undermining international law.
The African Union said it was following developments with “grave concern” after Maduro was arrested in a U.S. operation and presented before a federal court, where he pleaded not guilty to drug trafficking and related charges.
In a letter circulated to member states, the AU said it reaffirmed its “steadfast commitment to the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity and the right of peoples to self-determination,” urging restraint and calling for Venezuela’s crisis to be resolved through inclusive political dialogue rather than external force.
“The challenges facing Venezuela can only be sustainably addressed by Venezuelans themselves, through peaceful and constitutional means,” the AU said, warning that unilateral actions risk escalating tensions and destabilising regions beyond Latin America.
West Africa’s ECOWAS bloc echoed those concerns, saying it recognised the importance of combating transnational crime but stressed that such efforts must be consistent with international law.
In a statement, ECOWAS urged all parties to respect Venezuela’s independence and territorial integrity, noting that the use of force against a sovereign state without broad international backing sets a troubling precedent.
Maduro was seized earlier this month during a US operation that Washington said was aimed at enforcing long-standing criminal charges accusing the Venezuelan leader of leading a narcotics trafficking network.
He was transferred to the United States and appeared in a Manhattan court, marking an unprecedented step against a sitting head of state.
The arrest has triggered sharply divided reactions globally. Some governments welcomed the move as long-overdue accountability, while others condemned it as a violation of international norms.
African reactions have been shaped by historical sensitivities around foreign intervention, with several governments privately warning that the precedent could one day be used against weaker states.
Diplomats said African countries are likely to push the issue at the United Nations, seeking renewed emphasis on multilateralism, dialogue and legal processes as Maduro’s court case proceeds and political uncertainty deepens in Venezuela.
gandae@businessdayafrica.org