World leaders condemn U.S. military strikes on Venezuela

Leaders from multiple nations on Tuesday voiced strong opposition to the January-3 U.S. military strikes on Venezuela, saying that the U.S. actions undermined international law, seriously infringed upon Venezuela's sovereignty and territorial integrity and set a very dangerous precedent.

The U.S. military launched a series of attacks against Venezuela on January 3, which led to the forcible seizure of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife.

Speaking at the 31st annual commemoration of Joe Slovo held at Avalon Cemetery in Soweto, a suburb of Johannesburg, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed deep concerns about the U.S. actions, and called for the immediate release of Maduro and his wife, describing the U.S. actions as a violation of Venezuela's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Ramaphosa reiterated South Africa's unwavering support for the UN Charter and international law, and rejected any behavior that undermines the independence and security of sovereign nations. He also urged the UN Security Council to act decisively to uphold international law and maintain international peace and security.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, speaking to the press after the Coalition of the Willing meeting for Ukraine in Paris, noted that the U.S. forcible seizure of Maduro risked pushing the world into a dangerous new era, and insisted his country would "not remain silent" in the face of violations of international law.

Sanchez said, "The operation in Caracas sets a terrible and very dangerous precedent that pushes the world toward a future of uncertainty and insecurity, as we already suffered after other invasions driven by the thirst for oil."

He also said Spain would use all the resources to promote multilateralism.

In a statement posted on the social media of X, Chilean President Gabriel Boric pointed out that the actions of U.S. President Donald Trump and his administration [to launch the strikes on Venezuela] not only constitute a long-term destruction of international law, but also damage basic human dignity.

Boric warned that any attempt to cater to these actions and positions in exchange for support will only lead to self-humiliation.

World leaders condemn U.S. military strikes on Venezuela

A UN report issued on Wednesday condemned Israel for violating international law by implementing apartheid-like policies in the West Bank, where Israeli settlers and Palestinians are subjected to distinct legal systems resulting in widespread discrimination.

The report, released by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, detailed the asphyxiating impact of Israel's laws, policies and practices on every aspect of daily life for Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem.

In a recorded statement in Geneva, Switzerland, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk characterized the findings in the report as deeply alarming.

"Systemic discrimination against Palestinians in the Occupied Palestinian Territory is a long-standing concern, spanning decades, and the situation has drastically deteriorated since at least December 2022. Israeli authorities treat Israeli settlers and Palestinians residing in the West Bank under two distinct bodies of law and policies, resulting in unequal treatment on a range of critical issues. There is a systematic asphyxiation of the rights of Palestinians in the West Bank," said Turk.

"Whether accessing water, school, rushing to hospital, visiting family or friends, harvesting olives -- every aspect of life for Palestinians in the West Bank is controlled and curtailed by Israel's discriminatory laws, policies and practices. Israel is violating international law requiring States to prohibit and eradicate racial segregation and apartheid," he said.

He noted that every negative trend documented in the report has not only continued but accelerated, adding that every day this is allowed to continue, with the consequences worsening for Palestinians.

"The Israeli authorities must repeal all laws, policies and practices that perpetuate discrimination against Palestinians based on race, religion or ethnic origin. I call on the Israeli authorities to bring to an end its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including by dismantling all settlements and evacuating all settlers," said the UN human rights chief.

UN report condemns Israel's "apartheid" practices in West Bank