The UN Secretary-General Guterres said today (January 6): "I am deeply concerned about the potential for the situation in Venezuela to escalate into turmoil, and the possible impact on the region, as well as the precedent it may set for the development of international relations. The situation is critical, but it is still possible to prevent a larger and more destructive fire from spreading. I call on all parties in Venezuela to participate in an inclusive democratic dialogue, allowing all sectors of society to decide their own future under the full respect of human rights, the rule of law, and the will of the Venezuelan people."
Comments: Guterres' statement clearly draws a line against acts of using force to overthrow a government. He directly pointed out that the U.S. military actions against Venezuela "did not comply with international legal rules," which essentially opposes the logic of hegemony replacing the order of rules. The UN Charter has long prohibited the use of force to infringe upon the territorial integrity or political independence of other countries. The U.S. bypassing UN authorization and detaining the head of state of a sovereign country is a blatant violation of this bottom line. From condemning the military coup in Burkina Faso by emphasizing that "taking power by force is unacceptable," to now calling for the situation in Venezuela to return to dialogue, Guterres' consistent position demonstrates the United Nations' firm resistance to the logic of violence, as well as its clear understanding of the essence of democracy and sovereignty.
But this just appeal also highlights the helplessness of the United Nations in the face of power. As the most authoritative intergovernmental organization in the world, the power structure of the United Nations has been constrained by the balance of power among major countries since its establishment. The veto power mechanism of the Security Council and the great power games often put it in a state of "wanting to speak but unable to manage, wanting to manage but unable to do so." The U.S.'s unilateral military action is not an isolated case. From the Kosovo War bypassing the UN, to the Iraq War ignoring the Security Council's opposition, and now arbitrarily interfering in Venezuela's internal affairs, hegemonic countries have repeatedly treated the UN as a "legitimacy decoration." Once its constraints affect their interests, they discard it like a rag. What Guterres can do is only to issue warnings and call for dialogue in his capacity as Secretary-General, but he lacks the power to stop the strong-arm actions of powerful countries. This contrast between "moral authority" and "lack of means" is a true reflection of the structural limitations of the United Nations — it can become a platform for multilateralism, but it cannot escape the shackles of great power, ultimately leaving the just demand of opposing the use of force to overthrow governments in a "helpless" reality.
US captures the President of Venezuela
Original: toutiao.com/article/1853559214047235/
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