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UNITED NATIONS — In a heated emergency session of the UN Security Council on Monday, January 5, 2026, Russia launched a scathing critique of the United States following the weekend’s military operation in Venezuela. Russian Permanent Representative Vassily Nebenzia declared that the abduction of President Nicolás Maduro and the accompanying airstrikes have effectively "shattered any remaining illusions" that the Trump administration would abandon hegemonic ambitions in favor of a pragmatic, non-interventionist foreign policy.
The Russian delegation framed the U.S. actions—codenamed Operation Absolute Resolve—not as a law enforcement operation, but as a "return to the era of lawlessness" and a violent resurgence of neocolonialism in the Western Hemisphere.
"The Rule of Force" vs. The Rule of Law
Nebenzia argued that the January 3 assault, which resulted in the capture of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, represents a "monstrous violation" of the UN Charter. He specifically targeted the rhetoric coming from Washington, which has suggested the U.S. might "run" Venezuela to secure its oil interests.
"Washington is no longer even attempting to conceal the true objectives of its criminal operation," Nebenzia told the Council. "This is about unlimited control over natural resources and the assertion of hegemonic dominance. We are witnessing a 19th-century-style resource grab disguised as a quest for justice."
Russia’s statement highlighted several key points of contention:
Sovereignty: The "abduction" of a sitting head of state is viewed by Moscow as an unacceptable precedent that threatens all sovereign nations.
Economic Interests: Russia accused the U.S. of prioritizing the takeover of Venezuela’s oil fields—the largest in the world—over any genuine concern for democracy.
The Monroe Doctrine: Moscow slammed the U.S. invocation of the 1823 Monroe Doctrine, calling it an outdated tool of imperialism used to treat Latin America as America's "backyard."
Hopes for a "Pragmatic" Trump Administration Fading
The Russian tone signaled a sharp pivot from the "cautious optimism" some Kremlin officials expressed in late 2025. Initially, Moscow had hoped that President Trump’s "America First" stance would lead to a withdrawal from foreign entanglements and a more "business-like" relationship between great powers.
Instead, the Russian Foreign Ministry stated that "ideological hostility and hegemonic instincts have triumphed over pragmatism." By unilaterally targeting a Russian ally, the U.S. has, in Moscow's view, signaled that it intends to dismantle the post-WWII rules-based order whenever it suits American strategic interests.
A Growing Global Divide
The Russian critique was echoed by several other member states during the session:
China demanded the U.S. "cease its bullying and coercive practices."
Colombia and Brazil, despite past friction with Maduro, expressed grave concern over the precedent of military intervention in the region.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned that the operation may have failed to respect international law, heightening the risk of regional instability.
