The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has expressed deep concern over the unfolding situation in Venezuela following the capture of President Nicolás Maduro by United States forces and military strikes on the capital, Caracas.
In a statement released late Sunday, the regional bloc urged the international community to respect Venezuela’s independence and territorial integrity. ECOWAS also voiced solidarity with the Venezuelan people, saying they should be supported “as they shape the future of their country through an inclusive process.”
Over the weekend, US forces captured President Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, during a military operation that several legal experts have described as illegal under international law. The couple was transferred to New York City, where they are currently being held in a Brooklyn jail to face charges related to drug trafficking and terrorism.
US President Donald Trump later said Washington would take control of Venezuela’s oil reserves and announced that the United States would run the country temporarily.
While acknowledging the right of states to combat international crimes, ECOWAS cautioned against violations of international law. The bloc specifically cited Article 2(4) of the United Nations Charter, which prohibits the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state.
ECOWAS also aligned itself with the African Union’s position, which has called for restraint, dialogue, and a peaceful resolution to the crisis, including talks “among Venezuelans themselves.”
