African legal expert raises concerns over US operation in Venezuela

An African legal expert has raised serious concerns about a United States military operation in Venezuela that led to the forcible seizure of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, describing it as a violation of international law.

Patrick Kadima, an international law specialist at Wits University, said that breaches of international law would apply only if there had been a forcible seizure.

If there was a forcible seizure of Nicolas Maduro, then it's a violation of international law, Kadima said during an interview with CGTN Africa. "But there is also another scenario that takes place from this. So if we look at it from the statement where America says there was a negotiated exit, then who was the exit with? We must ask that question: was the negotiation with Maduro himself, or was the negotiation held with the state of Venezuela, because both of them have different outcomes."

Legal accountability in focus

Kadima said holding the US accountable under international law is heavily constrained. Sanctions are one of the few tools available globally, but their effectiveness is limited by the structure of the UN Security Council.

"One of the legal measures we know that can be implemented or can be applied in the global arena is that of sanctions, but this is going to be a very difficult thing because sanctions can only be done by the United Nations Security Council," he said. "Now we have five permanent members - the P5 - and this permanent five have veto powers to stop any resolutions from passing in the UN Security Council and therefore I think that no legal measures can be taken against the United States of America because it has veto powers to stop any resolutions."

The UN Security Council held a largely divided meeting on Monday, with some delegates arguing the action was exceptional and justified and others warning it risks normalizing unilateral force and eroding state sovereignty.

African states condemn US action

A number of African countries, including South Africa and Namibia, have also condemned the action, raising concerns over violations of international law and the erosion of state sovereignty.

Meanwhile, the African Union highlighted the importance of dialogue, peaceful settlement of disputes, and respect for constitutional and institutional frameworks.

Maduro and his wife appeared in Manhattan federal court on Monday, and pleaded not guilty to charges including narco-terrorism and drug trafficking.

Flores reportedly suffered injuries during the operation, while Maduro insisted he had been "kidnapped."

Their next court date is scheduled for March 17.

For more: Expert weighs in on U.S. move in Venezuela and its impact on Africa