Venezuela conducts nationwide manhunt for those supporting U.S. attacks, UN officials state that U.S. military strikes violate international law

Venezuela entered a state of emergency after President Maduro was forcibly taken to the United States by the U.S. military. The government led by acting President Rodríguez ordered the police to hunt down all individuals involved in or supporting the U.S. attack nationwide, while senior UN officials pointed out in an emergency Security Council meeting that the U.S. military action violated international law. According to CCTV News, UN Deputy Secretary-General DiCarlo, representing Secretary-General Guterres, stated at the Security Council meeting held on Monday, January 5, that the U.S. military action against Venezuela has brought the situation to a "very serious moment." This UN official claimed that the U.S. attack severely violated the UN Charter and posed a threat to regional and international peace and security. According to CCTV, U.S. President Trump stated on the day of the military attack on the 3rd that the U.S. would "manage" Venezuela until a "safe" transition was implemented. The next day, Trump indicated that if acting President Rodríguez did not cooperate, she would pay a "price potentially greater than Maduro's." Rodríguez issued a statement on Sunday evening, inviting the U.S. government to "work together on a cooperation agenda within the framework of international law," showing a significant softening of her initial hardline condemnation, but this shift may provoke dissatisfaction among hardliners within the Venezuelan government. Venezuela Launches Nationwide Manhunt According to CCTV News, on Monday, January 5, local time, based on the Venezuelan government's emergency decree, the police immediately launched a nationwide manhunt to arrest all individuals involved in planning or supporting the U.S. attack. CCTV mentioned that on the same day, acting President Rodríguez, along with Defense Minister López, visited those injured in the U.S. military attack the previous Saturday. The Venezuelan government reported that hospital medical services were operating normally, equipped with professional doctors and equipment to provide treatment for the injured. The U.S. military launched a large-scale military operation against Venezuela in the early hours of the 3rd, raiding the capital Caracas and other locations, forcibly controlling the Maduro couple and taking them to the United States. Commentators noted that Rodríguez's control faced a test on Monday, as new members of the National Assembly were set to take their oaths of office. Some assembly members revealed to the media that it was still unclear whether Rodríguez would need to hold a formal oath-taking ceremony. Venezuelan state media continued to regard Maduro's status as temporarily absent and continued to refer to him as president. UN Condemns U.S. Actions as Violating International Law According to CCTV News, UN Deputy Secretary-General DiCarlo reported at the emergency Security Council meeting on Monday that the U.S. military conducted operations in Caracas and several northern states of Venezuela that day, with casualty figures still unknown. She stated that the Venezuelan government has characterized the U.S. actions as military aggression, which severely violates the UN Charter and poses a threat to regional and international peace and security. DiCarlo, representing Guterres, emphasized that international law "provides the foundation for maintaining international peace and security," and all parties must adhere to international law and the UN Charter, prohibiting the use of force to infringe upon the sovereignty and territorial integrity of other countries. She pointed out that Venezuela has long faced political, social, and economic crises, but it is still possible to prevent broader and more destructive conflicts. Guterres expressed in a statement that he was "deeply concerned" about the U.S. military action's failure to respect international law rules and expressed worries about the potential chain reaction resulting from the detention of Maduro and his wife. He warned, "I am deeply concerned about the potential escalation of instability within Venezuela, its possible impact on the region, and the precedent this may set for inter-state relations." "Dicalo calls on all parties in Venezuela to engage in inclusive dialogue to resolve the crisis peacefully, and urges regional countries and the international community to uphold a spirit of unity to avoid further escalation of the situation." U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz defended U.S. actions in an interview with Fox on Sunday, citing Article 51 of the UN Charter, which grants nations the right to self-defense. Concerns Arise Over Shift in Acting President's Attitude Rodriguez issued a statement on Sunday evening saying, "We invite the U.S. government to work together within the framework of international law on a cooperation agenda aimed at mutual development and strengthening lasting community coexistence." This statement sharply contrasts with her earlier strong condemnation just hours after Maduro's arrest, when she demanded the U.S. return Maduro. Trump previously stated that he would send a team of U.S. officials to "manage" Venezuela, and Rodriguez would cooperate with them. Trump told the media on Sunday that Venezuela needs some rebuilding work and warned Rodriguez, "If she doesn't do the right thing, she will pay a very high price, possibly greater than Maduro." U.S. Secretary of State Rubio stated the same day that the U.S. would focus more on Rodriguez's actions rather than her words. Trump reiterated to reporters on Air Force One that the U.S. needs to "fully obtain" oil to rebuild Venezuela. He also stated that Rodriguez's description of Maduro's arrest as a kidnapping is "not inappropriate." Rodriguez, who previously served as Venezuela's Minister of Oil, is familiar with the operational challenges of the state-owned oil company Petróleos de Venezuela and its cooperation with international companies. However, Trump's vision of increasing the country's production is a daunting and costly task. Rodriguez's softened stance may indicate her readiness to cooperate with Trump, but it could also anger hardliners within the government. These hardliners have long viewed the U.S. as an imperialist threat and see Maduro's arrest as an infringement on national sovereignty. 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