Russia and China strongly condemned the U.S. attack on Venezuela over the weekend.
Speaking at a special U.N. Security Council meeting in New York on Monday, Russia described the U.S. action as “heralding a return to an era of lawlessness, where the United States rules with force, chaos and lawlessness that continues to plague dozens of countries around the world.”
China says that no country can act as the world’s policeman, and no country can act as an international judge.
China and Russia are both permanent members of the United Nations Security Council. They are demanding the release of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife Celia Flores, who have been captured by the United States.
Russia criticizes the United States for its economic and political motives in appointing itself a global judge and demonstrating its power.
The country’s UN spokesman claimed that this was unjustified, adding that the Security Council’s silence would constitute an erosion of the international order.
The Chinese representative emphasized that military means are not the solution to the problem. The arbitrary use of force will only lead to a greater crisis.
The United States calls Maduro’s arrest a surgical law enforcement operation targeting a narco-terrorist who is not the legitimate head of state.
Earlier on Saturday, the United States struck targets in Venezuela, capturing Maduro and his wife and taking them out of the country.
The couple, who face drug-related charges in New York, appeared in court on Monday and entered not guilty pleas.
Russia, China, the United States, France and the United Kingdom are the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council. These countries can veto any resolution.
Vassily A. Nebenzia, Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the United Nations, enters the Security Council Chamber before a Security Council meeting at United Nations Headquarters in New York. Mark J. Sullivan/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa