First published by Middle East Monitor on 4/1/2026

We woke up to the news that America, under instruction from Trump had attacked Venezuela and abducted its President and his wife. Venezuela is a sovereign state and a full member of the United Nations. America’s action is illegal. This breach of Article 2 of the Charter of the United Nations was confirmed in a tweet by the President of Mexico Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo. 

Donald Trump was not apologetic for this breach or fearful of potential consequences. In ‘Operation Absolute Resolve’ American forces carried out several explosions and also tracked the whereabouts of Nicolás Maduro and were able to abduct him with little resistance. He is on his way to detention in New York where he will face charges of drug trafficking and money laundering. “This was one of the most stunning, effective and powerful displays of American military might and competence in American history,” Trump declared at a news conference at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.

However, did the real reasons for this action become clearer during the press conference? “We’re going to have our very large United States oil companies, the biggest anywhere in the world, go in, spend billions of dollars, fix the badly broken infrastructure, the oil infrastructure, and start making money for the country,” Trump said. He declared this prior to any discussion with Venezuelans at any level.

However, it is not clear what happens now in terms of the day after the removal of Maduro from Venezuela. The United States will run Venezuela until a “safe transition”, says President Donald Trump, adding that the US will be “very strongly involved” in Venezuela’s oil industry. Again, Trump has no right to decide who runs another Sovereign UN state or to interfere in its Governance. His possible assumption that the Vice President of Venezuela will simply accept American rule of her country was quickly dispelled. Referring to abducted Maduro as President and calling for his immediate release. Calling the situation a “truly shameful” ideological attack, she added: “The governments of the world are simply shocked that Venezuela is the victim and target of an attack of this nature, which undoubtedly has Zionist overtones.”

After the Second World War states came together to create many elements of international law and international humanitarian and to set up the UN to ensure many of the reasons that led to the war and infringements of human rights during the war would not be possible in the future, insuring peace. Two states currently believe that this does not apply to them. They happen to be the partners in the genocide against the Palestinian people, Israel and America.

America in particular has dealt very differently and in contravention of international law when it has suited it. Apart from Venezuela, the last 2 years of the genocide in Gaza showed blatant and apologetic participation of the genocide in Gaza. American and Israeli military and security personnel have worked hand in hand to enable the destruction and death in Gaza. Much of the killing and destruction was carried out by Israeli hands but the bombs they were dropping or firing have been made and funded by America. The vetoes in the Security Council in favour of Israel were from a raised American hand. Add to that the attack on the judges of the International Criminal Court for issuing arrest warrants for Israeli prime minister Netanyahu, for his committal of war crimes. While America is not a member of the ICC, it has worked overtime to shield Israeli leaders from justice at the ICC. Trump himself recently hosted Netanyahu in Florida, aided and abetted by France, Italy and Greece who allowed Netanyahu’s plane to fly over their airspace, which is not permissible because unlike America, they are members of the ICC. Would they have allowed this if the passenger wanted by the ICC was an African or Arab leader? Though it has to be said that true to form, not only has Trump met Netanyahu in America, he has also hosted the President of Russia who is also wanted by the ICC.

Consider also that Netanyahu is the leader of an occupier nation as is Vladamir Putin. Russia has been sanctioned and isolated for its 4-year occupation of parts of the Ukraine. Israel has not been sanctioned for its oppression and occupation of the Palestinian people which has lasted decades.

If International law as applied equally to all then I contend that the world would be a fairer and safer place, because that would be the norm. However, America and Israel have taken its power to do so away from it through their abuses. In the case of Israel it is difficult to recall any part of international law and international humanitarian law that it has not breached. It is easy to recall that it has faced no accountability for its breaches, since its creation. 

Israel has acted as a rogue state for decades for its belief it can operate above the law. Trump is making the most powerful country on earth a rogue state. That is extremely dangerous when it could be the great driver for and enforcer of international law. Trump claims actions like the attack on Venezuela and abduction and abduction of its president makes it more respected around the world than under his predecessors. However, I contend that it faces increasing disrespect not only for its abuses of international law but also of its own internal laws that have raised concern about the direction of travel. Take his comments about Somalians and congresswoman Ilhan Omar as an example. Instead of celebrating Somalians contribution to America, he effectively wants them expelled on mass.

We even see the spectre of a British prime minister, who is a human rights lawyer, refuse to condemn Israel’s siege on Gaza in October 2023 and continue to collaborate in her war crimes, but also refuse to condemn Trump’s illegal action in Venezuela.

International law and international humanitarian law have in the last three years been emptied of any effectiveness because of the actions of many of the states who set them up. The message to other potential rogue states is if America and Israel can operate under the law of the jungle then why do they have to follow international law? And if Trump can ’give’ the Golan Heights to Israel and attack a sovereign country and abduct its President rather than refer concerns to the United Nations, then why not disband the UN? After all when it comes to peace and security, can it really bring these about? Its total revenue is around $70 billion dollars, while its effectiveness is limited. It can start by sanctioning rogue states.