International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola stated that South Africa is expecting a critical and progressive meeting of the United Nations Security Council today, following the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, by United States authorities. The pair is reportedly being held at the Metropolitan Detention Centre in New York and is expected to appear in court.
Lamola strongly criticised the move, describing it as unlawful and warning that the actions of the United States remain unpredictable. He stressed the importance of upholding international law and multilateralism in resolving global disputes.
“So, we have to continue to stand on the side of principle. We can’t go back to the period after the First World War, where there were no rules,” Lamola said. He added that respecting international law is essential to ensure smaller and developing nations retain a voice on the global stage. “If we don’t do so, some of the federal countries will have no say anywhere in the world,” he said.
Meanwhile, Venezuela’s acting president, Delcy Rodriguez, has struck a more conciliatory tone, offering to cooperate with the United States on an agenda centred on shared development. In a statement posted on social media, Rodriguez said her government was prioritising a move towards respectful relations with Washington.
Her comments mark a shift from earlier remarks, in which she condemned the raid as an illegal attempt to seize control of Venezuela’s national resources. The developments have drawn international attention, with growing calls for diplomatic engagement and adherence to international legal frameworks.
VOC News
Photo: X/@DIRCO_ZA
