During the meeting on 5/1, US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz declared the operation in Caracas to arrest President Nicolas Maduro a "legitimate law enforcement action."

"We are not occupying a country; this is a law enforcement operation," Waltz stated, citing the 1989 arrest of former Panamanian leader Manuel Noriega as a precedent.

He affirmed that the US is "not waging war against Venezuela or its people." Citing Article 51 on self-defense in the UN Charter, Waltz stated that evidence against Maduro would be presented in a US court.

US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz at the emergency Security Council meeting in New York on 5/1. *Photo: AP*

The US Ambassador described Venezuela's leader as an "illegitimate self-proclaimed president" and claimed that millions of Venezuelans were pleased by Maduro's arrest.

"President Donald Trump offered diplomatic opportunities. He made multiple offers to Maduro to de-escalate tensions, but they were rejected," Waltz emphasized.

Meanwhile, Venezuelan Ambassador Samuel Moncada described the US military action as "illegal and without legal basis," adding that President Maduro and his wife were "kidnapped."

"No country can consider itself a judge or enforcer of world order. Venezuela is a victim of this attack due to its natural resources," he affirmed.

Russian Ambassador to the UN Vasily Nebenzya stated that the US attack on Venezuela's leader signaled a return to an era of "lawlessness and domination by force" from Washington. Nebenzya called on Washington to immediately release Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.

Chinese Deputy Ambassador to the UN Sun Lei argued that the US action "blatantly infringed upon Venezuela's sovereignty," violating the principle of sovereign equality.

"No nation can act as an international police force," he said.

China demanded that the US "cease bullying and coercive actions" and return to a path of political resolution through dialogue and negotiation. Sun Lei also urged Washington to release Maduro and his wife.

Cuban Ambassador Ernesto Soberon Guzman stated that the US raid in Venezuela was "completely unjustified."

Chinese Deputy Ambassador to the UN Sun Lei at the Security Council meeting on 5/1. *Photo: AP*

Diplomatic representatives from Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, South Africa, and Spain were also among the nations condemning the US action.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed concern about the risk of increased instability in Venezuela, the potential regional impact, and the precedents the US action could set for how relations between countries are conducted.

The UN Secretary-General added that international law provides tools to address drug trafficking, resource disputes, and other issues. "This is the path we must follow," he stated.