Former US official denounces American military action against Venezuela as illegal, violation of international law

A former high-ranking U.S. defense official has issued a scathing critique of recent American military actions against Venezuela, labeling them an illegal and unconstitutional aggression that sets a dangerous international precedent.

The United States launched military operations in Venezuela that led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife on Jan 3. The Venezuelan government said the strikes hit civilian and military sites in at least four states, including Caracas, Miranda, Aragua and La Guaira. The U.S. attack has left 100 dead, Venezuela's interior ministry said Wednesday.

Charles (Chas) W. Freeman Jr., a veteran diplomat and former U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense, said that the operation was a unilateral assertion of power that disregards both American law and international norms.

"This is an unprovoked aggression by the United States. It is the product of a decision by the Trump administration to go beyond the original Monroe Doctrine and exercise a sort of tyranny over the Western Hemisphere in which the only sovereignty that counts is that of the United States," he said.

Freeman further elaborated on the legal failings of the military action, pointing out that it lacked the necessary authorization from Congress and violated multiple international treaties, particularly concerning the capture of a head of state.

"The war was unconstitutional. The Congress defaulted on its responsibility to authorize the use of force against another nation. It was illegal, therefore, under American law. But more importantly, it was a violation of many, many elements of international law, and particularly the seizure of the sovereign, the chief of state and government, President Maduro. And his rendition to a court in New York was another violation of multiple treaties and conventions," he said.

Freeman warned that the action signals a grave departure from centuries of diplomatic tradition.

"I think in a broad sense, this was the end of three centuries of Western civilization's efforts to build a rule-based order internationally, where the rules are based on international consensus, not on unilateral proclamations by any single great power. And therefore it sets a very bad precedent," he said.

Former US official denounces American military action against Venezuela as illegal, violation of international law

Voting for the second phase of Myanmar's multi-party democratic general election concluded on Sunday afternoon.

Voting began at 06:00 local time on Sunday. At 16:00, an election official at a polling station in Yangon's Latha township announced the closure of the polling station.

Following the closure, election staff at the polling station, in the presence of domestic and international media, candidates, and observers, counted the votes, including advance votes, for seats in the Pyithu Hluttaw (Lower House), Amyotha Hluttaw (Upper House), and State and Region Hluttaws (State and Region Parliaments).

The second phase of the election was held in 100 townships across 12 of the 14 regions and states. In the Yangon region, it was held in 16 townships, including the townships of Latha, Bahan, Kyimyindaing and Kawhmu.

"We welcome the election, which is expected to bring new changes to the country," said a Yangon resident.

"I hope the parties can lead us and make it a better country, which is why I support the election," said another voter.

Myanmar's multi-party democratic general election is being held in three phases, with the first phase held in 102 townships on Dec 28 last year, and the third phase scheduled for Jan 25 this year in 63 townships.

"The parliament is scheduled to convene in March. Following the conclusion of the session, the new government will officially take office in April. We hope that more foreign investment will flow into Myanmar, enabling the public to enjoy the opportunities generated by the country's economic development more fully," said Zaw Min Tun, leader of the Information Team of Myanmar's National Defense and Security Council.

The Union Election Commission (UEC) said that about 5,000 candidates from 57 political parties are competing in the three phases of the election, adding that it plans to set up over 21,000 polling stations across the country for all three phases of the general election.

The election will produce the elected members of the Union Parliament (Pyithu Hluttaw and Amyotha Hluttaw) and State and Region Parliaments; the new Union Parliament will then elect a new president, who will form a new Union Government.

Voting for 2nd phase of Myanmar's general election concludes